tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-118933582024-03-14T01:04:39.526+08:00Reviewers in a Dangerous Timerobdelacruzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11573869596136802745noreply@blogger.comBlogger187125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11893358.post-21218059212873986882010-08-02T11:44:00.003+08:002010-08-02T11:47:16.161+08:00the god who hates<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggm67lEDgctiDHq31sFfUXnT5UMML_5_qL9a3EGRWfhAJtre1gQnlxgARJXgkeBIL4RS1JPbRJ_Bvv23RByxZQ1E91gWUdPjrsRlwHEW0qWke5JJf85-ALtrGVrlC1-uzBmW96/s1600/a_god_who_hates.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 136px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggm67lEDgctiDHq31sFfUXnT5UMML_5_qL9a3EGRWfhAJtre1gQnlxgARJXgkeBIL4RS1JPbRJ_Bvv23RByxZQ1E91gWUdPjrsRlwHEW0qWke5JJf85-ALtrGVrlC1-uzBmW96/s200/a_god_who_hates.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500653938078820754" /></a>i first heard of wafa sultan on youtube while she was a guest speaker on al jazeera. it was highly irregular for anyone let alone a woman to be debating with an imam on islamic terrorism, islam itself, and as what she describes as the clash of civilisations so that it was not difficult to recognize her face printed on a book on a shelf months later while i was passing by the bookstore. i just had to have trhe book for i was already curious about her. i watched satisfied by the way when the imam resorted instead to strawman arguments for lack of anything better to say.<br /><br />in the book however, i am not a fan of her writing style. it seemed repeatitious, disconnected, personal, and she seemed to make hasty generalizations about people but who is better and has the authority to talk about islam and its ills, than her -- a moslem woman who had lived in it and had actually experienced its horrors firsthand. <br /><br />i also did not much appreciate her orgre metaphor. although she spoke the truth about the nature of fear and how it relates to islam, i felt that there has to be a better way to present the idea other than a parable about an ogre.<br /><br />apart from her personal experiences giving insight on the origin and nature of islam, its followers and how they relate with other people, its fruits, she also talks about the obvious disconnect with what "moderate" moslems claim islam to be and what is happening in reality. it mirrors the state of christian theocracies all over the world. christian zealots behave much like islamic terrorists. people would always argue that these particular type of moslems have misinterpreted the real meaning of islam. that the true moslem never engages in violence and that they respect women. the evidence in fact showing the contrary is overwelming.<br /><br />the koran is written solely in arabic, how likely is it that moslems outside of the arab world would have a filtered understanding of its teachings. meaning islam as a political doctrine and religion needs to present itself as something benevolent and beneficial in order to be accepted but the truth in detail is quite the opposite. just like the judeo christian bible, the koran is filled with archaic ethics giving justification to these brutalities all the way up to today the 21st century. and now it is encroaching in on secular societies like a disease as some put it. <br /> <br />wafa provides us with specific verses from the koran. too few in my opinion. but there is no escaping from that. muhammad had been very explicit and his ideas about women, jews, christians, and islamic morality questionable by today's standards. i am inclined to think that whoever subscribes to it is either ignorant, brainwashed, or have nitpicked specific teachings that suit their tastes just as moderate christians are doing with the bible.<br /><br />my favorite in particular about her book is her observation about moslems living in the west. those who are reaping its benefits but at the same time claiming it to be morally inferior to their countries of origin. hypocrites. id say. <br /><br />if living in islamic states is such a paradise then why leave at all. why the influx of immigrants from islamic states towards the west unless there be a sinister plot behind it all, that is to convert these secular societies into islamic states. as is happening all over europe and now even in the united states. how likely is it that people are oppressed in islamic societies and that most of them immigrate because they want to be free of it. <br /><br />wafa paints a vivid picture of islam and what kind of societies it has produced. societies which lack in civil liberties, societies which slow or sometimes halt progress, where its inhabitants are automatons programmed to obey never to think nor question authority. a striking resemblance to christian theocracies. don't you think? <br /><br />if immigration out of islamic societies not evidence enough that it is failed at making lives better for people, i dont know what else is.<br /><br />rating 4 out of 5<br />****rmacapobrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13884102161023123944noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11893358.post-42332852894207731682010-07-10T11:19:00.007+08:002010-07-10T11:38:57.195+08:00the gnostic gospels<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL6Kfx3rAYNLpHxrfqg7Uy3L62jrc2kNqNvGPxstfth5KIXhLxRD9uBURevuxEOaP2aNaSidVbSoDwNFy2sDI6Y3Kj0v54AYAdhjv2nCFgs0KVr0DlvRsjq6trR1AINq_EqMaP/s1600/9780753821145.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 130px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL6Kfx3rAYNLpHxrfqg7Uy3L62jrc2kNqNvGPxstfth5KIXhLxRD9uBURevuxEOaP2aNaSidVbSoDwNFy2sDI6Y3Kj0v54AYAdhjv2nCFgs0KVr0DlvRsjq6trR1AINq_EqMaP/s200/9780753821145.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492112763867014322" /></a>in 1945 a collection of early christian texts were discovered near the town of nag hammadi in upper egypt that came to be known as the nag hammadi library. elaine pagels, the author of this exquisite book, discusses in easy to understand terms, the contents of the collection.<br /><br />The major theme is the rivalry between the gnostic and the orthodox christians. The doctrinal difference between the two groups over issues like martyrdom, participation of women, nature of the true church, nature of god and the trinity, and salvation, that is to say, only via the self serving bishops for the orthodox christians and thru gnosis for the gnostics.<br /><br />the bishops threatened by the teachings of the gnostics labeled the latter as heretics. while the gnostics viewed the orthodox as immature believing in rituals and motions of traditional worship. the catholic church of today is notably the direct descendant of orthodox christianity which put much emphasis on the unquestioned authority and heirarchy of the bishops. had the gnostics won, christianity would have been very different.<br /><br />it becomes obvious what sets the books of the nag hammadi library apart from the canonical books having gone as far as undermine the patriarchy and authority of the bishops. <br /><br />it poses important questions especially to those who do follow and believe orthodox teachings. what makes one believe this set of books and not the other. because the priest/pastor says so and that's it? (kasi sabi ni pader?) héhé .. <br /><br />another lucky find from booksale. i got it for only 150 PHP.<br /><br />rating 5 out of 5<br />A must read.rmacapobrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13884102161023123944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11893358.post-62551548401342510442010-06-30T12:14:00.009+08:002010-07-02T00:37:44.463+08:00over the edge of the world<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnvPT4X3mUSzpSG6VjhWpEVS96EzAGWc0mcLk6gMsA2Aoly5lNW_8RgGyd92XVkUXVXyKW39ErL8sFVWlbwflaOqnqXPtnK_Z_wy9I0hFcpqOB0U6TR-LIOfaohKdDO6ZBoOSL/s1600/over-the-edge-bergreen-200x300.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 133px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnvPT4X3mUSzpSG6VjhWpEVS96EzAGWc0mcLk6gMsA2Aoly5lNW_8RgGyd92XVkUXVXyKW39ErL8sFVWlbwflaOqnqXPtnK_Z_wy9I0hFcpqOB0U6TR-LIOfaohKdDO6ZBoOSL/s200/over-the-edge-bergreen-200x300.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488416386555103154" border="0" /></a>je viens de finir le livre qui je lisais ces derniers jours. il raconte le voyage de magellan où il a fait le tour du monde au début du XVIe siècle (1521-ish). au fait, j'ai acheté ce livre d'un booksale pour seulement 100 PHP.<br /><br />we are all familiar with the story of the portuguese, under the flag of spain, who for the first time had successfully circumnavigated the world and as a consequence discovered a water route to the spice islands across the "ocean sea" west of the new world.<br /><br />magellan's encounters with fascinating natives and their customs including our own cebuans (to which i descend from) and the proud mactanese, betray european bigoted and self serving attitudes. they also betray our own weaknesses providing brief insight of why we continue to be divided even to this day.<div><br /></div><div><div>pigafetta is i think as important as magellan himself for it was him who chronicled the entire voyage reminiscent of captain picard doing his log aboard the enterprise. besides being a representative of the pope, he also served as the ship's linguist and anthropologist. he (attempted to) put into writing the local languages and their sexual practices. this to me was a kind of expected. he was a man of the cloth and like many others, there was a kind of obsession with sex (just as it does today) and he means to impose his beliefs on to the natives. sans respect to their own beliefs. </div><div><br /></div><div>most of the native chieftains who converted did so, mostly because they feared the armada de moluccas. magellan was all to happy to demonstrate their superiority. their weapons admittedly surpassed the bamboo javelins, bows, and poisoned arrows of the natives. and local politics paved the way for some of the chieftains to ally themselves with magellan thinking it would give them advantage over rival kingdoms. </div><br />i am surprised why his story had not yet made it on hollywood. it had the familiar elements of drama, political intrique, adventure, vicious villains, and noble heroes. vital ingredients that make up an epic adventure non fictional story.<br /><br />rating 4 out of 5<br />an interesting and easy read</div>rmacapobrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13884102161023123944noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11893358.post-36655739932928345632010-06-06T06:58:00.003+08:002010-06-06T07:13:48.701+08:00les bureaux de dieu<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKTSRP2GQ00N9CjvgrXGdEZfbmZAzrS7PcHlOAgshHBkbDyyTN819qwJGgVFEkGQ364puXSnbn5m_p65u_Yx3949zvokYz0bqipumuzlDqkbKGL6RlURJnjhgpFcgujjn5HTOY/s1600/18958301.jpg-r_760_x-f_jpg-q_x-20080704_113035.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKTSRP2GQ00N9CjvgrXGdEZfbmZAzrS7PcHlOAgshHBkbDyyTN819qwJGgVFEkGQ364puXSnbn5m_p65u_Yx3949zvokYz0bqipumuzlDqkbKGL6RlURJnjhgpFcgujjn5HTOY/s320/18958301.jpg-r_760_x-f_jpg-q_x-20080704_113035.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479428148915789986" border="0" /></a>A social commentary that revolves around a family planning center, it's social workers, and the people mostly women, they take the time to listen and give advice to.<br /><br />all the cases tackled by the social workers make the case for sexual education, women's rights, contraception, and abortion giving emphasis on having a personal and well informed choice on their respective matters as a crucial ingredient in making important decisions. we hear of cases where it is the total opposite when women don't have the choice at all.<br /><br />this is in strike contrast to what we have today in the philippines where people are mostly ignorant and sans access to health services. it couldn't be more obvious why this is so when certain prominent religious institutions who have a hand on state policies (imposing their religious beliefs onto the rest of us) continue to halt progress on civil liberties and women's rights.<br /><br />I find the movie socially relevant and mature especially on how the social workers sympathized with their (patients?). but not very entertaining for it lacked the hollywood formula much like a crutch or an addiction that we have grown accustomed to.<br /><br />For french language lovers, it is a treat. but for the same reason, when a language is presented as english subtitles (and not entirely translated might i add) could fail to convey the actual emotion accross the language barrier, which could possibly lead non french speaking audiences unable to relate ..<br /><br />Rating 3 out of 5 ***<br />women power!rmacapobrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13884102161023123944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11893358.post-31116645330745103452010-06-03T16:52:00.003+08:002010-06-03T17:13:53.181+08:00DiosaA local legend recounts the tale of a nature goddess who had an affinity with humans. Her name was Luciérnaga. One day, her father found out about her dealings with them, it made her father furious. He slapped her senseless breaking her crown of gems into pieces. Each piece transformed into a firefly. The entire mountain was swarmed by them to which the town was named after. Bayan ng Alitaptap (Firefly town). <br /><br />Another legend spoke of her unearthly beauty wearing nothing but gem stones to cover herself up. During the spanish era, Luciérnaga fell in love with a spanish soldier. She made love to him but woke up with all her jewels gone. The soldier stole them and since then fireflies have disappeared from the town. And all male descendants of the spanish soldier had been plagued by a curse. Each of them die horrible deaths. This intruiging tale is the backdrop of the story. <br /><br />teddy allegre is played by lloyd samartino<br />jaime allegre jr is played by alfie anido<br />luz is played by lorna tolentino <br />katrina is played lorna tolentino <br /><br />Rating 4 out of 5 ****<br />Not bad for a pinoy fantasyrmacapobrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13884102161023123944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11893358.post-46205098962736718132010-05-18T09:52:00.002+08:002010-05-18T09:57:36.989+08:00la papesse jeanne<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDy7vWvflsK66X2Hn0Tml6yhAY5zo9N1X_hv3qkfUcIRO0I5bWCpp9oKoCtGWI4wqsyahdkJJYzTZpmMoLmzQ3OsOmdbKCthyphenhyphen_B0_uLP-4XI59t_p5iFb28eCL5v-zwMRrRdhh/s1600/Marcel_Barsotti-Pope_Joan_Original_Sound_2.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDy7vWvflsK66X2Hn0Tml6yhAY5zo9N1X_hv3qkfUcIRO0I5bWCpp9oKoCtGWI4wqsyahdkJJYzTZpmMoLmzQ3OsOmdbKCthyphenhyphen_B0_uLP-4XI59t_p5iFb28eCL5v-zwMRrRdhh/s400/Marcel_Barsotti-Pope_Joan_Original_Sound_2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472423315854975570" /></a>joan (played by johanna wokalek) was born a genius. she had a talent for learning and a natural curiousity towards the world. she picked up things just by listening to them. she grew up with her father who was the village priest, a religious and ruthless man; her pagan mother and her two older brothers. <br /><br />joan's father groomed her brothers to be servants of the church just as he was. the oldest brother, as soon as he discovers her extraordinary abilities, secretly took time to teach her how to read and write. while her mother taught johnna the ancient healing arts by way of herbs. she learned diligently. her father though thinks that she was an abomination (unnatural) and forbade her from learning anything at all. unfortunately, she lived at an age when there was a low opinion of women. <br /><br />one day she was discovered by a visiting monk who recognized her gifts. he taught her alongside with her brothers, the classics, philosophy, greek etc. the monk, excited of his find, sent word to the bishop to have her immediately transfered to the school to be given proper education, even though education was traditionaly given only to christian boys, the monk thought that it would be a crime against god not to send her. her father grew exceedingly furious. he only agreed to it if one of her brothers would be sent with her.<br /><br />when the bishop's emissary came for her back at the village later, and was instructed to bring just one child. her father insisted on sending her brother instead. it was the last draw, joan decided to run away and pursue her calling.<br /><br />the story is about her remarkable journey to rome where she becomes the pope in a world where she was forced to hide behind a disguise -- that of a man. where only behind this mask that she could be free. she quickly made a name for herself going against tradition but not without adversaries and allies along the way. <br /><br />she became a distuigished healer and an accompished philosopher infamously arguing for equality. she was a scribe translating into different languages knowledge of the classics. she knew the value of education and took the time to teach others who were willing how to read and write. <br /><br />unfortunately we could never know if this is a true story or not for if there had been any record of her, it looks like it had long been (maybe intentionally) erased from antiquity. today her inspiring story survives as mere medieval legend. <br /><br />the film gives us a realistic view of why sexism perpetuates to this day. that there must be a relationship between religious doctrine and how religious people view and treat women. we can see how the story bears comtemporary implications against modern day sexism, ignorance and superstition, against gender roles, of politics in the church heirarchy. and how equality remains to be, not only a religious but certainly a social and political question.<br /><br />4 out of 5 ****<br />read more of st paul and st. aquinas views on womenrmacapobrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13884102161023123944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11893358.post-28926337599001788772010-03-20T10:44:00.005+08:002010-03-20T10:55:57.029+08:00agora<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU4aFYw_3Cv9hnYDcKYdSitlZ76w_QTGzgUu5OhbpmMnJKlgVh2NlhfOlRDAEnFt71bI3TOLeQ2o3vDf4O5TRDMO4oXwpQua74mkDtDCSDLPVLdD4ahtNmcxiNqMnCNpfLL1m3/s1600-h/agora_630_630.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU4aFYw_3Cv9hnYDcKYdSitlZ76w_QTGzgUu5OhbpmMnJKlgVh2NlhfOlRDAEnFt71bI3TOLeQ2o3vDf4O5TRDMO4oXwpQua74mkDtDCSDLPVLdD4ahtNmcxiNqMnCNpfLL1m3/s320/agora_630_630.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450543576145916130" /></a>agora is a historical non fiction film about hypatia, an atheist philosopher who taught at the library of alexandria, 4th century AD in roman egypt. <br /><br />this was at the time when the roman empire was crumbling and the number of christians <br />have swelled enough to take over the city. at the behest of the pagans who worshipped their ancestral gods (serapis, mithra, horus and the others - all of which by the way had similar attributes with jesus - virgin birth, saviour of mankind, miracle workers, teller of parables etc) <br /><br />christian zealots performed spectacles like walking on fire to lure the superstitious crowd. and made challenges to the gods for their seeming absence in the mortal realm. they failed to apply the same standard of scrutiny however, to their own god.<br /><br />the situation worsened, provoked by public mockery of their god, the followers of serapis attacked the christians. against hypatia's pleading for the church leader of serapis to instead file their case with the prefect. <br /><br />much to their surprise, they find themselves face to face with the christian mob which retaliated en force. by the time the roman prefect intervened, the pagans and other intellectuals were trapped in the library surrounded by the christian mob outside which appear to be composed of slaves, the uneducated, the impoverished, the marginalized, and lead by warmongering zealots. this is significant as it reflects the same demographic of christians today.<br /><br />it was painful to watch the christians laid waste to the library, destroying all nowledge of antiquity save a few scrolls which the pagans brought with them on their way out.<br /><br />much later, it became fashionable to be christian. the social elite had for the most part had been converted. most likely to avoid problems with the then now established christian religion and its leaders. <br /><br />hypatia in the meantime, lived quietly and continued to philosophize about the movement of the heavens, juggling between the ptolemy system, which had the earth as the center of the universe and the other heavenly bodies revolving around it in perfect circles; and the aristacus? system which had the sun as its center and the other heavenly bodies <br />revovlving around it in perfect circles as well. but something did not match up with her observations and measurements. this goes against the established biblical teaching, that the world is flat.<br /><br />after the pagans, the christians when after its other rivals, the jews otherwise known as the beginnings of anti semitism. and then the status of women. <br /><br />when hypatia's former students (now a bishop and the other a prefect) implored her to convert to christianity or else. she said she couldn't because unlike the christian bishop who don't question his beliefs. she must hers. the essence of what it is to be freehinker. <br /><br />rating: 5 out of 5<br />*****rmacapobrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13884102161023123944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11893358.post-46731330999053086552010-02-02T18:29:00.004+08:002010-02-02T18:38:53.923+08:00Les Fantomes de Goya<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTDkLo2_zyo3xEa7DaHhDEx2m0s0m7MG1gShgJWT4yiLW2mo_EkplrmVgjIWtFVwJYDGUWbj67LdQffFhuEf_tMPJGEZjBwnOzCN80axkfymG8fa6hHFOiWDcpBljRYDzFOMh-/s1600-h/200px-Goyas_ghosts.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 136px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTDkLo2_zyo3xEa7DaHhDEx2m0s0m7MG1gShgJWT4yiLW2mo_EkplrmVgjIWtFVwJYDGUWbj67LdQffFhuEf_tMPJGEZjBwnOzCN80axkfymG8fa6hHFOiWDcpBljRYDzFOMh-/s200/200px-Goyas_ghosts.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433591382221240946" /></a>Francisco Goya was a court painter to the spanish crown. Ines Balbutia, daughter to a rich merchant, was one of his subjects. Another client of Francisco is Brother Lorenzo who is the one responsible for excacerbating the inquisition by re-establishing torture. Ines was accused of judaizing (practicing jewish traditions) and arrested because she refused to eat pork. <br /><br />Such was the power of the Catholic church during those times. I watched horrified as they tortured the truth out of Ines. Although we are far from "those times", we could still witness this kind of barbarism in countries where religion/church reigns supreme. And this I believe is central to the message of the movie. It is a warning of what religion is capable of doing given sufficient power over the state. <br /><br />There doesn't seem to be any justice for Ines even towards the end of the film where Brother Lorenzo was finally caught and executed because of something else (treachery) he has done. <br /><br />Rating: 4 out of 5<br />I love history. See Peninsular War and French Revolutionrmacapobrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13884102161023123944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11893358.post-74262892483397420142009-10-05T17:46:00.005+08:002009-10-06T16:05:52.186+08:00the boy in the striped pajamas<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5pFW1vIDgHRuVVD4Lnw8SeD5ghGHEcNtIzL5JSa9jM9Z6AwwfUMfnbYwLCvmsiszMyK7SphYw0BzVOBvc4Q3jiDJFj8LynU5v3dDBQnTUU_30UNg32JGmdeOKh9rUkQ_MF8jj/s1600-h/LRPAJAMAS_P1.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5pFW1vIDgHRuVVD4Lnw8SeD5ghGHEcNtIzL5JSa9jM9Z6AwwfUMfnbYwLCvmsiszMyK7SphYw0BzVOBvc4Q3jiDJFj8LynU5v3dDBQnTUU_30UNg32JGmdeOKh9rUkQ_MF8jj/s320/LRPAJAMAS_P1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389052265442724818" /></a>bruno is a small kid whose father is a nazi officer. when his father was promoted to manage a concentration camp in the country, they all had to move out of the city with him. <br /><br />later, bruno finds his way to the camp and makes friends with shmuel, a jewish kid despite everyone warning him about jews (not actually everyone). children do not have the same prejudices that adults have. we all learn it later from our parents, from school, from people around us.<br /><br />my favorite scene is when bruno was forced to betray his best friend out of fear and the need to conform in order to survive. it tells us that all capable of treachery even at an age where we are supposedly pure and good.<br /><br />rating 3 out of 5 ***rmacapobrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13884102161023123944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11893358.post-65248220232473115542009-08-08T10:36:00.002+08:002009-08-08T10:39:26.932+08:00two lovers<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgph_QROtSN2H2HUAAj3FQp_ZOSsoEr0Mxy9PVxVmdjtCeANlyQm3w3g_jaLPglTsqg6rn4uMCJet_RUmI9mVjxYR7kekiG2yuj2xyf4Q5nw4V4AJ79-3AJi7NiBbRyuIOetXtb/s1600-h/Gwyneth+Paltrow+and+Joaquin+Phoenix+in+James+Grays+TWO+LOVERS+-+Photo+Credit+John+Clifford.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 189px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgph_QROtSN2H2HUAAj3FQp_ZOSsoEr0Mxy9PVxVmdjtCeANlyQm3w3g_jaLPglTsqg6rn4uMCJet_RUmI9mVjxYR7kekiG2yuj2xyf4Q5nw4V4AJ79-3AJi7NiBbRyuIOetXtb/s320/Gwyneth+Paltrow+and+Joaquin+Phoenix+in+James+Grays+TWO+LOVERS+-+Photo+Credit+John+Clifford.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367416788294615330" border="0" /></a>(photo is by john clifford)<br /><br />this film portrays in contrast an insight on the type of romantic love that we used to talk about a lot back when we were younger. the question of who would you go for, given that you have the following choice. will you go for "the one" or "the only one".<br /><br />"the one" is the person you love ultimately but he doesn't necessarily feel the same way or none at all. the kind of love that exists in literature. it is love where the stakes are high. even life itself.<br /><br />"the only one (available)" is the person who loves you but you don't necessarily feel the same way or none at all. it's the one that you accept because either you are afraid to be alone, that you think there might be no one else, or you need the company. the kind of love that is mundane, tolerable, or that needs years to be nurtured.<br /><br />leonard (played by joaquin phoenix) was setup by his parents to meet with sandra (played by vinessa ssaw). i am uncertain if this is a usual practice for american jews. it reminds me of how filipino chinese parents actively participate in arranging dates or introductions so to speak for their children. especially when it becomes although subtle as a sort of business merger of mutual benefit between families if it works out well. i can see why it persists. it is practical.<br /><br />later leonards accidentally meets with michelle (played by gwyneth paltrow) whom he falls deeply in love for. is this not how love should be? is not love a complete accident, like magic, that consumes us.<br /><br />naturally leonards explores both women. he dates sandra as a fallback, as a duty to his family. the safe route. where some might be quick to judge him. i do not. would you turn down love that is offered. he pursues michelle who considers him a close friend or worse like a brother among other setbacks. <br /><br />in the story, i savored the honesty of how it ended as i suspect it to be so with many couples. many wouldn't admit it. of course. but i believe it to be the majority in this case. that people do not often end up with those they intended to be with. that couples born out of complacency, convenience, contentment with what is available, end up with "the only one" rather than "the one". though it does happen. not just often enough. or if it does happen. it does not linger long enough. passion dies.<br /><br />rate 3 out of 5<br />***rmacapobrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13884102161023123944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11893358.post-85680142114952351772009-05-19T10:02:00.000+08:002009-05-19T10:03:01.050+08:00The Bucket List<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_5rrEpNECftDDvHf70rHu3qHxRYyJue5z5me7uyA0WFwoDygVmtv4zwS-2WIUa3rANJ_IdV_jjWqxn8G0MsUkZiCr88-3L7SmO1y9Et7aKOeZ6qf8ngdjralk3OX8lEQXnMj2/s1600-h/Bucket_list_poster.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 217px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_5rrEpNECftDDvHf70rHu3qHxRYyJue5z5me7uyA0WFwoDygVmtv4zwS-2WIUa3rANJ_IdV_jjWqxn8G0MsUkZiCr88-3L7SmO1y9Et7aKOeZ6qf8ngdjralk3OX8lEQXnMj2/s320/Bucket_list_poster.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337339900125922482" border="0" /></a>I accidentally ran into the film a couple of times while channel surfing. HBO had been playing "The Bucket List" on several occasions and I managed to complete the entire movie (like a jigsaw puzzle) after three days.<br /><br />So what makes this movie interesting, aside from having Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman? I guess the film talks about mortality and how people would react if they knew they only had a year to live. Some people might just live in fear, withdraw from the world, or even focus their last remaining days fixing their earthly business. Other people might choose a different path.<br /><br />Both protagonists are cancer patients who learn that they only have a few months to live. So they made a list of things they want to do before they die and try to do them one by one. Enter the cliche Hollywood formula -- the two fight while doing their list, make up in the end, gain some epiphany about life, love and friendship, die, live life to the fullest and die again.<br /><br />I think the film would have made a bigger impact to me if it didn't remind me of a Hollywood television series called "My Name is Earl".<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPIVTND3Kgp4WnETjb3BYFRKA2YKD7ePnBtqg1dE77upYNFMpj6RPA9t2_niFpn88O8ygRGS9ET1HEfvhBVkmySPfopxL62iB9T4SRrQjKEzwnFHYhRxOPgLdp-85X4Mdn7O3f/s1600-h/My_Name_Is_Earl_title_screen.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 169px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPIVTND3Kgp4WnETjb3BYFRKA2YKD7ePnBtqg1dE77upYNFMpj6RPA9t2_niFpn88O8ygRGS9ET1HEfvhBVkmySPfopxL62iB9T4SRrQjKEzwnFHYhRxOPgLdp-85X4Mdn7O3f/s320/My_Name_Is_Earl_title_screen.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337344263275200338" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Here are some similarities in "Bucket List" and "Earl":<br /><br /><ul><li>Both have a list of things that the protagonists are trying to cross out.</li><li>They both have one asshole protagonist who, thanks to Karma or Cancer (take your pick), gets redeemed and becomes a better person in the end.</li><li>Both have quirky supporting casts who help them cross out the things in their list.</li></ul><br />I think the movie dwells too much on the positive, feel good aspect of life -- like friendship, love and family. It tends to downplay the actual reality of suffering and death. I doubt if all cancer patients view living and life with such gusto. I doubt if people can make instant life changing decisions just because they know the grim reaper is looking for them.<br /><br />It all boils down to how a person accepts his death and how he chooses to live out the remaining days of his life.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11893358.post-80839801307618716302009-04-21T08:38:00.000+08:002009-04-21T08:40:24.809+08:00Twilight the Movie<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVNVJd9zCr6YXyuGkHxJos17lJ6MWzMgbT_T-pIW5l6TGSKWyOwGRoHVmcCiErvHlWO1iXpY8gO6dZOqK4PUVu40qY6t7Rt98WVyeXWvZfFtRpyacaSBrb8Daf8rCkKUyKrZjq/s1600-h/twilight.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 135px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVNVJd9zCr6YXyuGkHxJos17lJ6MWzMgbT_T-pIW5l6TGSKWyOwGRoHVmcCiErvHlWO1iXpY8gO6dZOqK4PUVu40qY6t7Rt98WVyeXWvZfFtRpyacaSBrb8Daf8rCkKUyKrZjq/s200/twilight.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326688794729251650" border="0" /></a>I just finished watching the movie over the weekend. All I can say is that the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twilight_Movie">Twilight story</a> reminds me of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roswell_tv">Roswell TV series</a>. Here is a list of common things I noticed between the two series:<br /><br />1. Both female protagonists (Liz Parker and Bella Swan) are high school students who nearly lost their lives. They were in the wrong place and in the wrong time. Both girls who have died, except they were saved by their respective crush (Mr. Vampire and Mr. Alien).<br /><br />2. Both female protagonist experience a strong attraction to their respective crush -- to the point of sacrificing everything they have just to be with their out-of-this-world boy friends. In the end, they became vampires/aliens themselves.<br /><br />3. Both shows have sheriffs acting as distant father figures.<br /><br />4. Both shows deal with a "family" or "group of related" aliens/vampires, who were forced to accept high school girl because of her strong/passionate connection with alien/vampire boy.<br /><br />Watching Twilight made me think of Roswell and I couldn't help but feel that Stephenie Meyer borrowed/used some of Melinda Metz's ideas.<br /><br />I would not suggest comparing the movie to other vampire flicks. Twilight was written to be a love story for young adult writers. It steers away from excess violence, bloody gore, and horror. The story focuses on Bella and Edward's relationship, mirroring your typical high school romance (mixing with some supernatural elements).<br /><br />Overall, I had a good time watching the movie. The story was a bit predictable (even without reading the book) but the characters are interesting enough for you to want to watch the sequel.<br /><br />(Review copied from <a href="http://mysevenlives.blogspot.com/2009/04/twilight-movie-3out-of-5-stars.html">My Seven Lives</a>)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11893358.post-89615150141981072652009-04-10T12:28:00.003+08:002009-04-10T12:33:11.677+08:00Leben der Anderen (The Lives of Others)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsT4S7Z8uFiYlep0CmiYqjTcLXxoA_tSrpRU3Vfl7PJ8qjlivYeZnJe76UPwXuygnzxqfDpxzkt6zzrN52-N7oznbh76pDgvMTFGAtgVCCIGIW6drLmYkCP2kdLCtYBPTFH9ha/s1600-h/daslebendasanderen.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 242px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsT4S7Z8uFiYlep0CmiYqjTcLXxoA_tSrpRU3Vfl7PJ8qjlivYeZnJe76UPwXuygnzxqfDpxzkt6zzrN52-N7oznbh76pDgvMTFGAtgVCCIGIW6drLmYkCP2kdLCtYBPTFH9ha/s320/daslebendasanderen.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322915764893225794" /></a>the german democractic republic (GDR) and the stasi (the secret police) reigned on east germany before the wall between east and west came down. <br /><br />it was a drab, dreary, suppressive world were the state watches over its citizens in every aspect of their lives. you could easily observe this in the color tone used for the character's costumes and environment they moved around and lived in. it was kind of dead.<br /><br />a stasi agent was tasked to hold a prominent playwright and effectively his wife who was also a prominent actress under tight surveillance because he became a suspect for being too clean. <br /><br />the operation was to wait and listen, then record everything that transpires in the playwrite's house. any subversive word or action will be charged with treason or disloyalty to the state. imagine what kind of burden that is for merely saying things could potentially lead to imprisonment. <br /><br />many artists like the playright before him were known subversives. some had escaped and embraced the west which stood for capitalism and freedom. for others who had been caught and blacklisted (though one of the heads of state in the film vehemently disputes it and that the state never blacklists) to perform their crafts had been silenced. and there were other artists who couldn't take it anymore, had taken their own lives which the state conveniently reclassifies as self murderers. <br /><br />during the course of the surveillance, the stasi agent experiences a change introspective in him. from being ruled entirely by principle to beginning to feeling things. watch the elevator scene when the stasi agent rides it with a boy who rats on his father about saying anti-state things. normally the stasi agent would have the boy's dad arrested but maybe for this time, he let's it go. <br /> <br />the playwright had begun writing an article to be published in the west which exposes the social conditions and suicide rate specifically of artists in the GDR. this is obviously treason in principle but the stasi agent let's it go because he begins to appreciate the simple lives of his target.<br /><br />i had always been a supporter of socialism but after watching what true socialism had been at least for east germany. i think that any extreme of the political spectrum could never be good and could only end up oppressing its citizens instead rather then uplift their lives. <br /><br />maybe the central to the film was a message of striking a balance between the extremes living by principle vs feeling<br /><br />Rate: 3 out of 5<br />No to extremesrmacapobrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13884102161023123944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11893358.post-87092048952756451742009-04-07T09:48:00.001+08:002009-04-07T09:55:01.074+08:00shadow women<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcC_XDZwI_TYprJU6BDowxlC8vItKXv0De5l3PgBxzLe0Mjb89iHW96CkC5pYsaCAWotTnBm5c6KYE8JULsmXVOPE4u8wwcmWGuo4q-m1L_sShsQXwaLmfTRAOa6gRB80aFnDV/s1600-h/shadowwomen.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcC_XDZwI_TYprJU6BDowxlC8vItKXv0De5l3PgBxzLe0Mjb89iHW96CkC5pYsaCAWotTnBm5c6KYE8JULsmXVOPE4u8wwcmWGuo4q-m1L_sShsQXwaLmfTRAOa6gRB80aFnDV/s320/shadowwomen.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321762085070855618" border="0" /></a>les femmes de l'ombre is a film dedicated to women who fought against nazi barbarity during world war 2. particularly this film is about 5 women who were hired by the french division of special operations created by winston churchill in britain a.k.a. the SOE.<br /><br />it begins with the recruitement. a french sniper and her brother who were both formerly tortured in the camps, a prostitute convict who had no loyalty to britain nor france, an ex-wife of heindrich who is a nazi fficer hiding in britain in shame of her past connections, an explosives expert who was apparently catholic and very religious, and an italien/jew operative working as a secret agent disguised as a nurse in normandy. their mission was to deliver a geologist out of normandy france and back to england. unfortunately the sniper's brother was captured.<br /><br />things get a lot more interesting after they were forced to make a side trip to occupied paris for what turns out to be the real mission - to assasinate heindrich who had knowledge of a big plan by the allies and he was trying to convince the third reich of the threat.<br /><br />i was perhaps quick to judge the ladies as they each were compelled to display rather some unadmirable qualities during the mission as each take turns at valor and cowardice. in the end they were all just being human. when one is faced with the same predicament (torture), i wonder too, what would i do.<br /><br />one by one each of the ladies played their roles valiantly having to give up their very lives for the mission.<br /><br />rating 4 out of 5<br />i love films which depict women of strength, intelligence, skill and guile.rmacapobrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13884102161023123944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11893358.post-19011404579605176492009-01-03T08:24:00.004+08:002009-01-03T08:42:04.350+08:00religulous<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpVO3CcAjC_qumBuDNOOyYfn1eb-RKVJaPnzqzn8ascRJTPq6d4kbPDyt9VRO97Pel481vTBloIKOA0seHB3cT9oGvvqvXJ8fwtavdsehBdD5iSryd2bEn94bhjsNfxcT-XoCF/s1600-h/religulous.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 107px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpVO3CcAjC_qumBuDNOOyYfn1eb-RKVJaPnzqzn8ascRJTPq6d4kbPDyt9VRO97Pel481vTBloIKOA0seHB3cT9oGvvqvXJ8fwtavdsehBdD5iSryd2bEn94bhjsNfxcT-XoCF/s200/religulous.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286860366693919042" border="0" /></a>the word religulous is a play on the words religious and ridiculous. a satire comedy by bill maher. agnosticism for the common man. spoken in common words that can be understood and appreciated by everyone esp christian america as compared to but not much unlike the works of richard dawkins, hitchens, and others which are a bit more eloquent.<br /><br />i managed to get a copy of the film here (<a href="http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-1839369108234002661">RELIGULOUS</a>). you have to download it asap for it might be asked to be removed. copyright issues tu sais. ^_^<br /><br />the film talks of religion more than the existence of gods/dessess namely yahweh since bill was half catholic and half jewish. nevetheless, i enjoyed it thoroughly.<br /><br />even though bill was posting the questions and i think the movie does not fall short of giving out the answers. at least to the thinking audience anyway (the questions are leading) and it almost always puts the theist to a defensive. <span style="font-style: italic;">it's what i believe in - end of discussion!</span><br /><br />bill asks valid questions - on the subject of the virgin birth, is the earth 5000 years old, is islam a religion of peace, revelation and the self fulfilling prophecies, odd things but all makes sense from the average theist mind. other questions of interest. why politicians today (unlike the american forefathers who were secularists) pandering to churches. how some? church leaders profit from church coffers. homosexuality. the status of women in moslem society. how moslems think islamist terrorism has nothing to do with religion but everything to do with politics. hmm .. actually this maybe true to a degree ..<br /><br />the funniest bit was when he played a joke on the guy who was clearly high on something and who believes in a religion that includes the use of hallucegenics. héhéhé.<br /><br />Rate 4 out of 5 ****<br />bill. you are the man!rmacapobrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13884102161023123944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11893358.post-9811539560385465102008-10-17T09:48:00.004+08:002008-10-17T10:11:51.710+08:00munich<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaUQv_V7EyUGT4erXkgXNf61MZFXx8MHBMBxGMOOV0xjSpnqNRuN6PxnPPazs5he2cUmpBIK2W6l0OhbTK_q7tLjFLTbOeE1QDTOC-gV0KAeGGGXci0N_6ufOsAE6SW6hUZ6sa/s1600-h/munich.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaUQv_V7EyUGT4erXkgXNf61MZFXx8MHBMBxGMOOV0xjSpnqNRuN6PxnPPazs5he2cUmpBIK2W6l0OhbTK_q7tLjFLTbOeE1QDTOC-gV0KAeGGGXci0N_6ufOsAE6SW6hUZ6sa/s200/munich.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257939627491488818" border="0" /></a>munich is a historical fiction that begins with arab terrorists taking israeli athletes as hostages in the oylmpics in munich, germany. a few years after, the government of israel unofficially hires assassins to hunt down the people responsible. eric bana plays avner kauffman - the leader of the group of assassins.<br /><br />immediately, i sympathized with israel. the group of assasins, each experts in their individual fields, were in fact very likable. it felt right, what they're doing, that it was justice. im glad the story became impartial turning around towards the end, mentioning the plight of the palestinian people. at the end, nothing seemed to matter except the question of when the killing of each other, is going to stop.<br /><br />personally i believe it was a mistake for the western (european) powers to put up israel in the middle of the arab region. it does not seem smart to me anyway. there is whole lot of history about this. something i am no expert in. the palestinian people who are now refugees, practically robbed of their lands are understandably doing everything they can to fight back. i believe a futile attempt. there was an interesting political dialogue between avern and one of the arabs. and avern made one very important and objective point. the palestinians have nothing now to bargain with.<br /><br />Rate ***** 5 out of 5<br />a powerful film.rmacapobrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13884102161023123944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11893358.post-41769938625896055722008-09-26T19:12:00.004+08:002008-09-26T19:25:33.875+08:00notes on a scandal<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPiPoZBmkmfQ8wq1q8EOroxt7PTuhYdPFLZLRmt6sVkagDKrVr8WX6eJQDp74zgIHwCescIvM_nmsceQZp74EArr_QUyrLrrCSLtTOt2FG7ZoL5jZRcaj4JvdTItvQibSXW0am/s1600-h/scandal.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPiPoZBmkmfQ8wq1q8EOroxt7PTuhYdPFLZLRmt6sVkagDKrVr8WX6eJQDp74zgIHwCescIvM_nmsceQZp74EArr_QUyrLrrCSLtTOt2FG7ZoL5jZRcaj4JvdTItvQibSXW0am/s200/scandal.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250288128320597378" border="0" /></a>english movie about two women. sheba hart (cate blanchette) and barbara covett (judey dench). i love the name sheba. it's exotic. sheba is the new art teacher. and i found her suited to the job. she is young and handsome, without restraint, new age type, good natured. she is married to an old guy who was her previous teacher. a young woman married to an old guy is already a story in itself.<br />then there is barbara, an aging collegue who takes sheba under her wing.<br /><br />the interesting part begins when barbara catches sheba being intimate with one of the students. barbara threatens sheba unless she stops the affair. then it becomes really dark and wierd when barbara begins to ask for more and more. more than just sheba's friendship ..<br /><br />i loved the language used. what must be like ordinary language for the english people, it comes out poetic to ears such as mine who is accustomed to the bastardized english of filipinoes (learned from americans).<br /><br />i have often imagined many times that i'd grow old and alone and id be like barbara here .. dried up and wasted, banal, cynical, and desperate for love, .. hopefully it won't happen ..<br /><br />Rate *** 3 out of 5<br />I enjoyed the languagermacapobrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13884102161023123944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11893358.post-79025414223397293852008-09-22T06:57:00.004+08:002008-09-22T09:54:10.248+08:00Kate Chopin: The Awakening<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmpfqfrVsuCXzUYs19b7g2_RAi0KNymURyKmQj7_0m6_RTccihG4H-ugEN1gfSi_fD5kNtwfD3wsFYjezFMY0JTBPfHdeFAqZF2XfNOq_0s8gwTrc-lt9aLLRWmfeRP53nHfMgFA/s1600-h/katechopin.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmpfqfrVsuCXzUYs19b7g2_RAi0KNymURyKmQj7_0m6_RTccihG4H-ugEN1gfSi_fD5kNtwfD3wsFYjezFMY0JTBPfHdeFAqZF2XfNOq_0s8gwTrc-lt9aLLRWmfeRP53nHfMgFA/s200/katechopin.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248653087057444370" border="1" /></a>i do not know if the woman at the front of the book is kate chopin. or is it the heroine edna pontellier. kate chopin is a writer who wrote short stories in the late 1800s. the same time as our national hero josé rizal.<br /><br />the first short story is "the awakening", notably her best work. the awakening recounts the tale of madame edna pontellier who just liberates herself from society's traditions. a time when women were considered property, when it was necessary to depend on being married to someone to provide for them, when women were restricted to the home and the kitchen, when women were in all respects functions primarily to provide assurance for the next generations - a baby factory. i am tempted to point out that this is a time that could describe the present as well. how ironic and horrible isn't it? but no, i am referring to the late 1800s.<br /><br />some points i gathered from the short story - le réveil:<br /><br />1. french créole society has similarities to pinoy high society as it exists as a microcosm.<br />2. infidelity was accepted if it does not cause a scandal.<br />3. the key to freedom is financial independence.<br />4. people do not own people. we are only in as much as we want ourselves to be.<br />5. i do not like the ending. i do not see the necessity of commiting suicide at the advent of her liberation from social bonds. maybe i misunderstood it? edna strikes me as someone who is strong but unless kate chopin meant to potray love as something that weakens people, both men and women. then maybe it makes sense.<br /><br />Rate 4 out of 5 ****<br />Progressive ideasrmacapobrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13884102161023123944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11893358.post-40065523337095474802008-08-26T14:45:00.009+08:002008-08-26T15:39:00.926+08:00The Notebook<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1hWINW2FTgcWziqS0u2eNhj3KY1Y4r9JBzLhVSGU0eAkRx4ioPz1dNWu6t3w64CVNiwP3TFO1FaDyjAQt_HqEiEJAfpkMCvWPCQrD4bdA53WDWTVPZaIt1qdFeOSupkAgndaq/s1600-h/notebook4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1hWINW2FTgcWziqS0u2eNhj3KY1Y4r9JBzLhVSGU0eAkRx4ioPz1dNWu6t3w64CVNiwP3TFO1FaDyjAQt_HqEiEJAfpkMCvWPCQrD4bdA53WDWTVPZaIt1qdFeOSupkAgndaq/s200/notebook4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238722778478743058" border="0" /></a>An overly sentimental rich girl (allie) / poor boy (noah) love story that works for me (Maybe just me) . I guess one needs to draw something from real life to be able to appreciate it. That sense of wanting to be with someone from another world so bad and things are not in your favor. Where despite the improbability, we pursue it anyway.<br /><br />A reminder that we have but a short while in this life. And we will all have to deal with endings despite how much we think we deserve eternity. And in the end, we just have our memories. <br /><br />I disagree with what I felt the movie was in a way saying - that having a full life equals having someone to love (and back). Having someone or not should not deprive anyone from having a full life. There are many pursuits in life. In fact, it is not uncommon to find people who are in relationships to be at the loosing end, having compromised many things just to stay in it. <br /><br />Rate: 4 stars ****<br />Made me cry like a baby ^_^rmacapobrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13884102161023123944noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11893358.post-11311810382027720882008-05-26T17:09:00.006+08:002008-05-26T17:34:01.562+08:00the brave one<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkBFAhmqqcudK7SQ4fi97DpfIHbxL-PG4ibWw8zZueH50vs_kM-HZ16FI6BCOIkVNE5bleXl0PtxlUGTkvU5M7K1aOV4TB5aCza5nA_zdqOQ4G1J-Tf1bjfw_YTYrZfZMvurE7/s1600-h/braveone.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkBFAhmqqcudK7SQ4fi97DpfIHbxL-PG4ibWw8zZueH50vs_kM-HZ16FI6BCOIkVNE5bleXl0PtxlUGTkvU5M7K1aOV4TB5aCza5nA_zdqOQ4G1J-Tf1bjfw_YTYrZfZMvurE7/s200/braveone.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5204612163281555442" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Brave One</span><br /><br />Jodie Foster plays Erica Bain. Jodie is the best! I adore the roles she plays because she almost always potray women of strength. Not the ones that remain victims to fate but indepedent individuals who are willing to take action despite insurmountable odds and at the same time be accountable for them. This film illustrates that Woman is as capable as any man.<br /><br />It is a social commentary about how life could be like living in a big and populous city such as New York, with the immense bureaucracy, the apathetic government, and the crimes. Society becomes disensitized and the individual is left to fend for themselves.<br /><br />It is rather a simple story about revenge for a love lost. Erica and her fiancé takes a walk around the park at night. They were attacked by local thugs. Her fiancé dies. Erica becomes a whole new person. She becomes a stranger as she often describes it in the movie. She recovers but not really. After seeing that noone, even the government, was going to make things right, she decides to buy a gun for protection. But ends up turning vigilante.<br /><br />The following quotes from the film cracked me up ..<br /><br />Pimp: What if I don't pay?<br />Erica: Then this will be the last super cunt you'll ever see.<br /><br />Rate 3 out of 5<br />Woman rules!rmacapobrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13884102161023123944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11893358.post-32950580300117727402008-05-16T14:23:00.005+08:002008-05-26T17:14:56.984+08:00Mr. Vampire<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfUwVBk8AGswHY-U9OLFSKXtwZ-QBeaL4Hm9k2EW9hIzd9M4KWDPXdmWA7RBhFCHMUH1nabj9RVqGBLp618OuJQq5bgS2U6pAD7Lv0r_r6tWeIsx8Y4MOwWFOPiNA4pswZhkLq/s1600-h/Mr_Vampire.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfUwVBk8AGswHY-U9OLFSKXtwZ-QBeaL4Hm9k2EW9hIzd9M4KWDPXdmWA7RBhFCHMUH1nabj9RVqGBLp618OuJQq5bgS2U6pAD7Lv0r_r6tWeIsx8Y4MOwWFOPiNA4pswZhkLq/s200/Mr_Vampire.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5200865453442476690" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">mr vampire</span><br /><br />mr vampire upholds that certain tradition of favorite kungfu movies we have grown to love over the years. i felt like a kid wanting desperately about knowing the kungfu. remembering jackie chan and his antics. the movie appears low budget but what it lacks in special effects, it fully compensates with good natured humor. i think anyone from any background would be able to appreciate it. come to think of it, the raw quality of it is part of its charm.<br /><br />the story is filled with chinese folklore, about the nature of the dead. how it continues to "live" after life. my favorite part was when the taoist? monk discovers the rogue vampire and tries to (and fails) to capture it using his own stock of undead. the fight scenes were not martial arts intensive. but like i mentioned earlier. it compensates with humor.<br /><br />3 stars ***<br />made me laugh ..rmacapobrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13884102161023123944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11893358.post-67424510718579375102008-05-16T13:55:00.005+08:002008-05-26T17:15:51.719+08:00Death Note 1 and 2 (The Movie)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNcP9ZyJkQMgCgaNfSr_aBSNJWGJ89-JqJ056hnEJk9DG460zVrKBuXazZYCRE4l-rTGCv58wHh_zReqvIaRNlkGaHrnJ7NJ571NeaWm6Nb5nbdszkddLh0tmKYrVS4e2KRnMa/s1600-h/DeathNote_movie1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNcP9ZyJkQMgCgaNfSr_aBSNJWGJ89-JqJ056hnEJk9DG460zVrKBuXazZYCRE4l-rTGCv58wHh_zReqvIaRNlkGaHrnJ7NJ571NeaWm6Nb5nbdszkddLh0tmKYrVS4e2KRnMa/s200/DeathNote_movie1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5200855214240443010" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">death note 1 and 2 (the movie)</span><br /><br />it was only after did i watch and liked the movies did i learn that they (supposedly) pale compared to its manga roots. i have also heard that there was an animé which also surpassed the real live movies. then i suppose it was for the best that i was ignorant when i came to watch them because i enjoyed the anime-like characters and the the mind games they played against each other.<br /><br />death note is about a magical book granted by shinigamis (death gods) to certain mortals. the book basically kills people. the chosen mortal writes down the name of his/her enemies. and possibly, but not necessarily, the nature and circumstance of their deaths. and those people who have their names written down on the death note helplessly die, written circumstance fulfilled. at the very least, having your name written down on it grants you death by heart attack.<br /><br />i am not going to read in too much about how the japanese psyche deals with death. certainly, in the story, the seriousness of mortality as it affects all of humanity is caricatured. so i felt unattached to the idea of mortality. to me, the story is an intriguing question. what would you do if you have to power to kill.<br /><br />3 stars * * *rmacapobrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13884102161023123944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11893358.post-64302151209553081022008-04-30T08:34:00.002+08:002008-05-26T17:20:43.261+08:00August Rush (Movie Review: 3 out of 5)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTPumzFqEKzpmeSFBmGMi0EHvuAAsO-_przIYpCEGyppzk_s5Lvw_gY_eek1hs8G61kkpDs5F0EV9lJw_-DZ7Cjmho_JRtBds7hG4YZuEKGybtZaodW20jOjspBwcHmOu_27Nb/s1600-h/August_rush_poster.jpg"><img style="margin: 10px; cursor: pointer; float: left;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTPumzFqEKzpmeSFBmGMi0EHvuAAsO-_przIYpCEGyppzk_s5Lvw_gY_eek1hs8G61kkpDs5F0EV9lJw_-DZ7Cjmho_JRtBds7hG4YZuEKGybtZaodW20jOjspBwcHmOu_27Nb/s320/August_rush_poster.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194824168619029570" border="1" /></a>You don't have to be a music lover to enjoy this movie. However, you must be prepared to accept all the freaky coincidences and odd circumstances that play around the main protagonist of the film.<br /><br />The hero (August Rush, aka Evan Taylor) is an orphan who is driven to find his birth parents. He's a music prodigy who has the "gift of listening to the world". Thanks to this gift, he is reunited with his family at the end.<br /><br />It's a modern day fairy tale of sorts -- we have a young boy who gets thrown into a cruel/nasty world (aka New York City). But thanks to his musical talent, he meets people (like a character named "Wizard") who either helped or exploited him along the way. But August stays true to himself and his dream does come true.<br /><br />Jen loved the film while I found it just okay. It's a feel good movie with a nice soundtrack, but there are better "feel good" movies out there. The only point that I found interesting were the movie's attempt to portray the "underground society" of New York through the eyes of children. We see the flaws and the issues of the child welfare system and how many runaway kids get used and exploited off the streets. August was lucky that he had the magical talent to get himself out of the gutter. I pity the other kids who got left behind.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11893358.post-72799523686910372012008-01-16T09:48:00.001+08:002008-05-26T17:21:51.205+08:00Pan's Labyrinth<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjagnu4cH6ENUy5i_VY6N9k0rPMX_WZKV4YAVBhBXbqeAK3S8QIEr3DZbIKzbFBwa1Yo9kUfHUA3M09TqYt94vr7_p49dQAmvcm8budJ_ViO9b4AkTcs7EjcYAjRrbWSwGY_wNy/s1600-h/fauno.jpg"><img style="margin: 10px; cursor: pointer; float: left;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjagnu4cH6ENUy5i_VY6N9k0rPMX_WZKV4YAVBhBXbqeAK3S8QIEr3DZbIKzbFBwa1Yo9kUfHUA3M09TqYt94vr7_p49dQAmvcm8budJ_ViO9b4AkTcs7EjcYAjRrbWSwGY_wNy/s320/fauno.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5155884933533166690" border="1" /></a>I've been wanting to do a review of this movie ever since I watched it last October 2007. I'd personally give the movie a six star rating for its imagery, story, and suspense.<br /><br />Pan's Labyrinth (or "El Laberinto del Fauno" in Spanish) is the work of Guillermo del Toro, the same guy who directed the Hellboy movie. At first I was skeptical of the movie's English title, it sounded like a B horror movie. But then after hearing nice reviews, I decided to watch it and see for myself.<br /><br />The movie is basically an adult faerie tale. By adult, I'm talking about the intense and gruesome violence depicted in the story. I wouldn't recommend having kids watch the movie because of the gory head bashing, torture, and the bloody gun fights.<br /><br />Pan's Labyrinth is set in the wilderness of Spain, during the country's civil war. The military, led by a maniacal war freak captain, is hunting down rebels - killing them left and right. Amidst all the death and violence, a young girl becomes enamored in the world of faerie. She encounters a satyr and learns of a fantastic faerie world. With the help of the satyr and some pixies, the girl undergoes a series of quests to help improve the lives of her family.<br /><br />Slowly the girl's secret fantasy world and the realities of war begin to overlap. The rebels waged their final war against the military and the girl is forced to make a choice - to save her dreams or her family.<br /><br />While the movie revolves around the girl and her struggle to save her family from hardship and suffering. I think that her innocence and belief in faerie kept her protected from the brutalities of war. Since she is the only one who interacts with the Satyr and pixies, I was left thinking whether the faeries were real or if she made it all up.<br /><br />Despite all the death and violence, the story redeems itself in the end. In the young girl's mind, she has succeeded in her quest and she has brought happiness and prosperity for her family and the land.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11893358.post-68033856201671722102008-01-14T13:44:00.001+08:002008-05-26T17:26:12.748+08:00Kekexili: Mountain Patrol<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnfGMc0GGHgpKdr7AiTTkulr2aD8lNHbJ-_lyMaUyCcHX120EDnFrVFpTQ5zRznh5hIzWXdoYxFAYPWKX_3IDqRtjrxV0RzO-of8OZkStiK94So3gzmch_6H6iY4ua5QS5sDpG/s1600-h/421px-Kekexili_film_poster.jpg"><img style="margin: 10px; cursor: pointer; float: left;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnfGMc0GGHgpKdr7AiTTkulr2aD8lNHbJ-_lyMaUyCcHX120EDnFrVFpTQ5zRznh5hIzWXdoYxFAYPWKX_3IDqRtjrxV0RzO-of8OZkStiK94So3gzmch_6H6iY4ua5QS5sDpG/s320/421px-Kekexili_film_poster.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5155203665820675154" border="0" /></a>I stumbled on <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kekexili:_Mountain_Patrol">this movie</a> accidentally at AXN last Saturday and I was glued to the screen. At first I thought it was one of those mainland films depicting life under communist rule, but as I continued watching, I realized this was a story about life in the wilderness of Tibet.<br /><br />The film acts like a travel documentary, revolving around a Beijing Photojournalist on assignment in Tibet. He gets first hand experience with the rugged and harsh life in the mountains.<br /><br />During his trip, the journalist encounters a group of Tibetan vigilantes who roam the land to protect endangered antelopes from poachers. They track down illegal hunters across the mountains, arresting violators and burying the carcasses of dead antelopes they encountered.<br /><br />The film portrays the harshness of the Tibetan mountains -- from its cold numbing frost, to its vast stretched of wasteland. It shows how people survive under poverty. Abandoned or simply ignored by the government, these people resort to illegal poaching, skinning of antelope skins (which are prized in the black market), and stealing.<br /><br />One of the scenes that struck me was when the patrol arrested a group of poachers. The journalist interviewed one of the criminals, an old man who claimed to be the fastest antelope skinner in the region. The old man proudly showed his three sons who were along with him. He said that he was once a shepherd but because of the changes in the weather, his livestock died. Shortly after that, he became a poacher.<br /><br />I liked the way the film portrayed the region as a "savage frontier", where everyday is a fight for survival. It also shows how the land affects its inhabitants, and how it affects ones moral judgment and view of good/evil.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0