Loops and Shuffles

I predicted that Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist would at best make me go all eeeeeee! and want to be a teenager again. There are moments when it did, especially because Michael Cera is ten times more adorable in this movie than he was in Juno. Sigh! Michael Cera makes me even more sure to go for the nice guy this time (this time? next time? *shrug*). :P

The movie itself was unconventionally, realistically adorable. The supporting cast was a fistful of fun (they're not a fistful of a--holes, contrary to how Norah put it), filled with a quirky yet charming gum-obsessed (ick!) best friend and gorgeous gay bandmates. That Tris girl was also so effectively annoying I wanted to go ahead and punch her myself (so mature, I know :P). And I genuinely applauded when Nick just took off and left her there. Atta boy! :) Some of the scenes were a bit on the eew side, but I couldn't help but marvel at the symbolisms (the gum and the search for Fluffy/Caroline especially) that made this movie special in a world were romance and romantic comedies run rampant. I also love that the movie basically happens in just one night (technically speaking, just the significant bulk of it though). Because really, sometimes, it only takes one night to change your life (WTH, WTH, WTH?! Where is my one night? Hahaha).

And while this is a movie about teenagers, it is not just another teen movie. Yes, the characters may be teenagers, but their predicaments are not exclusively for teenagers only. Because when do you really stop going around circles, start letting go of the past and allow yourself a fresh new shot at happiness? To me at least, that was the movie's fundamental question.

P. S. I'd love to read the book they based this movie on too. I hope I find it. :) Tsk, tsk. Here I go with the books again. :)

The Perfect Pre-Valentine Quote

Have you ever been in love? Horrible isn't it? It makes you so vulnerable. It opens your chest and it opens up your heart and it means that someone can get inside you and mess you up. You build up all these defenses, you build up a whole suit of armor, so that nothing can hurt you, then one stupid person, no different from any other stupid person, wanders into your stupid life...You give them a piece of you. They didn't ask for it. They did something dumb one day, like kiss you or smile at you, and then your life isn't your own anymore. Love takes hostages. It gets inside you. It eats you out and leaves you crying in the darkness, so simple a phrase like 'maybe we should be just friends' turns into a glass splinter working its way into your heart. It hurts. Not just in the imagination. Not just in the mind. It's a soul-hurt, a real gets-inside-you-and-rips-you-apart pain. I hate love."
--Neil Gaiman

Waaah! Grabe naman! Love can be wonderful too! :D

Woot!

The brilliant Mr. Coelho has a new book! And it's a thriller of sorts. It seems a bit different from the rest of his books. Nonetheless, I'm excited. :)

For the first chapter, click here.

Not Bad, Australia

It seems as if I have too much time in my hands, because I can now afford to watch movies of epic lengths. In fairness to Australia, it was much better than I expected it to be. I expected to sleep through parts of the movie (or leave early if necessary, haha), and yet I didn't. Which just goes to prove that my subconscious thinks Hugh Jackman is sexier than Brad Pitt (Yes, I'm pinning this one on my subconscious. So when is that Wolverine movie showing again? :D).

Now back to Australia... I must say I'm glad I watched it. Even if the trailer wasn't that appealing and I really watched it only because it's a Hugh Jackman film (my heart literally stopped when he showed up at that ball all clean-shaven and every bit gorgeous). However, I must say Nicole is perfect for the part of an English aristocrat and she proves yet again that she is regality personified. I especially loved the funny kangaroo scene.

I was also in awe of that black horse Capricornia (or at least that's what I thought I heard it was called). I never knew I'd find a horse so beautiful, and yet I saw it and was utterly amazed at how perfect it looked. The droving scenes are also pretty exciting, even when my initial reaction was that it would be tiring to watch herds of cattle being moved to a faaaar location for days.

While the plot is nothing extraordinary, the themes of love and solidarity are nothing new, after all, the historical and cultural circumstances did provide a fresh, educational take. It was also easy to pinpoint when the movie can be cut to shorten it. The return to Far Away Downs could have been a perfect happy ending. And yet, the movie continued on, in a spectacle of this-and-that-being-dead-and-alive-after-all-only-to-be-(probably)-killed-again. But then again, had they nipped it at a typical happy ending, the movie wouldn't be anything special. Because much of the emotional beauty in this movie were in those scenes when the happy backdrop started to fade.

All in all, it's a good movie that was worth the 2 hours and 35 minutes of my time. Sure I kept on telling myself that I was gonna hurl if I hear one more instrumental tune of Somewhere Over the Rainbow. But it was Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman at their romantic best. In a scenic, scenic tale. I'd be willing to take a little cheese with that. :)

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This is Me Pretending I'm Not Scared of Them

A Better CNY Horoscope from Yahoo! Shine :D

Pig Outlook for 2009

Pig

1911, 1923, 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007

Pig Overview

The Pig has many opportunities to shine this year. Your generous nature is apparent in all aspects of your life. It is an admired quality that people respect. This year, your inherent generosity plays a large role in areas that you may not even be aware and may pave the way to a possible career change. You have an abundance of friends and you are well loved by your family. this year will only enhance these relations. One area that may create some issues is that you seem to overextend yourself to a point where there isn't any time left for you. This could lead to a change in priorities and could promote some better organizational skills.

Pig Rating

53% (2 favorable 9 neutral and 1 unfavorable month)

Pig Career

The Pig may feel complacency in your current job position. This could be a year that you may need a change towards something that is more suitable for your needs. You may gravitate towards something that is more of a position that provides service to others, perhaps a non-profit organization or a customer service based position. Your busy schedule will also play a part in your work. You may be forced to choose between certain activities, as there are only seven, not eight days in a week. Whatever the course may be for your career, you will fit in well with your endearing personality.

Pig Relationships

Personally, 2009 will be a year that the Pig will enjoy much happiness. Both your social and domestic life will be endearing to you, providing you with encouragement and advice. Your family and friends will be the source of many memorable occasions this year. For the unattached Pig, there will be some romantic opportunities. Be careful who you let into your circle, as you tend to give others too much credit. July is a particularly favorable month for all Pigs.

Pig Health

The Pig would do well to watch your health this year. There may be an unforeseen incident that arises sometime during the year, most likely in late April or early May. This may cause you to look at your habits relating to your health. One area in particular is your diet. This year could provide a change in your eating habits, which could help other areas of your health.

Pig Wealth

There may be times this year when you are uncertain about your financial future, but there are things in your life that take precedence over money. You will be taken care of, but there may be times of financial uncertainty. A change will come in the second half of the year that will provide greater financial comfort and allow you to live at a means that is more accustomed to your liking. Be patient, as the change will come.

Wooot!!! Hahaha. :D Click here if you wanna know yours.

The Sleep-Inducing Case of Benjamin Button

True to my narcoleptic nature, I feel asleep while watching Brad Pitt in his critically acclaimed movie. And that probably means I have no authority to make a movie review because I missed bits and pieces of the film. I must say though that the movie wasn't necessarily bad. I really just expected more from it. And while I understand why the movie had to be long (we're talking about an 80-year lifespan here), the movie was just too long (almost 3 hours), and there were a lot of dragging scenes that it could have done away with.

Furthermore, I will go ahead and say that, with all due respect to Brad Pitt, I don't think he deserves an Oscar for the movie. I don't really know who he's up against, and yet, I really, really don't think he deserves an Oscar. Although I was absolutely amazed by how they were able to successfully make him look really younger in the movie. Hmmmm... I wonder if his trusty wrinkle iron had anything to do with it. Hahaha. I really had to plug that in, eh? ;D

Whatever my complaints are, I do appreciate that at its very core, the movie is a story of universal love, however unconventional the circumstances are. And it is the type of powerful love everyone would want to have. One that knows no distance, no time limit, no end. One that requires genuine sacrifice for what's good for the beloved. Even my momentary drifts while watching the movie did not stop me from catching that.

P. S. I didn't know Benjamin Button's family really made buttons!!! Hahaha.

My 2009 CNY Forecast

Woohoo! :D To view yours, click here.

Whiling Away

In the course of our day, it's easy to immerse ourselves in the shallow stuff, revel in silly humor and chitchat, and get lured by interesting novelties. They are delightful in their own right, but they are nothing but cheap thrills, quick fixes, momentary pick-me-uppers.

Because we gauge ourselves not by how we've successfully flooded our surroundings with all our favorite trivialities. We measure ourselves by our last thoughts at night, the decisions we've made and the ones we put off making, and the price we are willing to pay for all these. We recognize what we value by where our thoughts gravitate to almost subconsciously, even when we try in vain to stop it from wandering there again. Because sometimes, all we want is one thing, however simplistic or nonsensical, that will make everything feel better, brighter, and right again.

It is logical to embrace these pleasant distractions. They are cups of hot cocoa during cold rainy days, good until the time the sun is ready to shine again.

La la la la la la la la la la...

As far as TV runs go, there's always that one show you look forward to watching every week, the one you'd choose to prioritize if you had only one free 45-minute window during the week (wow naman, ang drama). Surprisingly, for me now, that show happens to be *gasp* Privileged! While I only caught up with it during the Christmas break as I chose to prioritize those roads that lead to crazy ghost plots and half-sibling-sharing plots (tsk, tsk), it has quickly become my new favorite. In fact, it's soooo fascinating, even the boys (and I mean real men) in the office are watching (which is why we all now share identical ringtones, hahaha). Here are my top reasons why I heart Privileged:

1. The fashion! I never really expected the fashion to be noteworthy but it is. Sometimes even more than Gossip Girl's. :)
2. Megan Smith. I used to not really like Megan, but she's gotten so pretty and quirky that I'm starting to appreciate why this is her show. I love her fashion sense the most too.
3. Will, Will, Will! Ah, Will is absolutely perfect. :) He is now officially my favorite TV hottie. So Megan better not break up with him! Well, judging from recent developments they probably won't. Fingers crossed.
4. Rose and Sage Baker. Most of the time, the twins are the reason the show is absolutely adorable. Like 99.9% of the time. And while the popular consensus is that Rose is the more adorable twin, I happen to like Sage a tad more (it's the b*tch factor). Especially now with the Sage-Luis romance. And while we're on that subject, I can't help but wish they find a different guy for Rose.
5. The dialogue is upbeat and full of witty banter. So, so fun! :)
6. Marco! Marco is probably my favorite guy character on the show, and sometimes I even look forward to seeing him on screen more than Will (which is something considering how incredibly gorgeous Will is). It seems this guy is the writers' favorite because he usually delivers the best lines in an episode. And with him on the show, I understand why it's logical to just phase Charlie out because Marco's really the better go-to guy (sorry Charlie). Not to mention the more fun go-to guy. I'm loving that they are giving him more storylines and I especially think his little heartbroken streak is cute (especially when he's snarky). I'm kinda nervous though that the possibility of him opening his new restaurant might be a convenient segue for him to be out of the show. Please, please, please noooo...
7. While it has its own share of drama (Megan's emotional baggage is h-e-a-v-y), it's surprisingly light to watch. Because even during the more dramatic episodes (especially the last two), the show never forgets to shower some quirky, adorable sprinkles here and there.

And hey, hey, hey! What's this I'm hearing that Robert Buckley (a. k. a. Kirby in Lipstick Jungle) is joining the show? Eeeeee! It just keeps getting better and better. I can't wait for the last four episodes (or so) left of the season. :D

On Faith

What is faith? It is the confident assurance that something we want is going to happen. It is the certainty that what we hope for is waiting for us, even though we cannot see it up ahead.
~ Hebrews 11:1 TLB

Bride Wars (Spoiler Alert!)

Sometimes all I need to be convinced to watch a movie is the title and the lead actress. And when you throw in Anne Hathaway and Kate Hudson in a movie entitled Bride Wars, I'm in. I don't remember having watched either of them as brides before, and it seems like it might be a great chick flick.

Interested?

The storyline, as might be gleaned from the title, is about BFFs who ultimately become archenemies because their weddings are set at the exact same place and date. Anne is stunning as usual, and while her beauty is not exactly conventional for most, she is still one of my favorite faces in Hollywood. Unfortunately, while it was nice to see Kate Hudson sport a stronger character than her usual roles, I can't help but think that her fiercened-up look didn't quite suit her. After all, her charm has always been girl-next-door-ish, and so the bangs, dark eyeliner and contacts combination just didn't sit well.


And while I didn't exactly expect an earth-shattering plot, I also can't help but wish the antics the girls pulled were more outrageous. Even the catfight was nothing worth mentioning. The only thing probably worth mentioning is seeing Anne sport that bright orange tan (yes, she's still beautiful). They're grown women for crying out loud! Why did it seem like they can't even give Regina George and Cady Haren a run for their money? It might be bad enough if it were to happen in real life, but nothing great to watch in a movie. One scene worth mentioning though was seeing Anne dance that dance when she crashed Kate's bachelorette party. Atta girl! Who knew she had that talent?

The surprising twist for me was seeing Bryan Greenberg (a.k.a. Jake of OTH). From scene one, I was kinda hoping he'd end up with Anne in the movie, and true enough, he did! Yey!

Sadly though, Bride Wars is nothing but a DVD movie. A DVD movie you watch when you have time to kill and nothing better to do. Oh well, let's just hope the other chick flicks to come are better. Next stop? He's Just Not That into You. This one better not be another star-studded waste.

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Down to the Last Tube?

Lipstick Jungle recently aired what might have been their final episode. Which is why I expected more. And yet how many minutes into the episode, I felt like I was being dragged into something because they can afford all the time in the world to spread out new plotlines.

I get that they have to leave question marks here and there. So they can get more lipsticks in protest to keep the show. But that wasn't how you end a season, and possibly even a show. It lacked more longing appeal somehow, and ironically, it was the men of the show who left the good impressions in that episode. Joe being the most romantic billionaire ever. Shane shifting from being Mr. Jerkface to Mr. Will Pull Through and Come Back. And Kirby, Kirby, Kirby... I will miss Kirby the most. His little speech for Nico reminded me of why he will always be everyone's favorite and not just because he's the hottest of 'em all ("I know what I want. I wanna be with you. And I'm willing to do whatever it takes to make that happen.")

Sure they threw in that slideshow of clips to make me realize I was really gonna miss the girls if ever they no longer come back. But I seriously think they could have done better than just that.

Blog Resolutions

1. One quote a week.
2. Less surveys, more reviews (= reading more books, watching more movies, etc., etc.)
3. Less personal drama, more literary attempts (or drama-masqueraded literary attempts, haha)
   
4. More humor, less passive-aggressive hits

On Standstills

I believe the most difficult situation you can be ever be faced with is deciding whether you should just move on or hold on a little tighter. Move on, and maybe you'll lose a chance at the best thing that could have ever happened, or hold on, and have the possibility of one day being the biggest disaster ever created.

~ Author Unknown

A Sneak Peek at That Midnight Sun

My life was an unending, unchanging midnight. It must, by necessity, always be midnight for me. So how was it possible that the sun is rising now, in the middle of my midnight. ~ Edward Cullen in Stephenie Meyer's "Midnight Sun"

True to my newly found Twilight craze, I decided to read the partial draft of Midnight Sun, despite the possibility that I would end up feeling bad about not reading it to completion. But I was glad I did. Because Edward's perspective is a thousand times better than Bella's - more interesting, more romantic yet less cheesy. I really wish the complete book is out there for us mere mortals to read, especially specific parts of Twilight that have yet to be written in Edward's perspective - that date at the meadow, the encounter with James and his friends during the baseball game, and the dance during prom when Bella insisted on being turned into a vampire.

It's really sad that the book is still on hold indefinitely. I'm hoping that changes soon. Because it may as well be my next favorite book.

A New Year's Toast

Cheers to family and love and togetherness and the unconditionality of it all.  To friends - old and new - the always there, the unexpectedly there and the simply special. To succeeding together and coping with change wonderfully. To unfinished chapters and open books. To closed doors and opened windows. To the wisdom behind disappointments. To bright spots and rainbows that are absolutely worth the rain. To beauty that transcends time. To good health and genuine laughter.

May we have nothing less and so much more in 2009.