The 18th Privilege

I don’t regularly do dedicated single episode rundowns, but because I love Privileged so much I can’t help but talk about their season finale.

Let me start by saying that it was a proper season finale. A cliffhanger was there and some burgeoning storylines were set up, and while I can’t wait to watch Season 2, I also really didn’t feel like I had to watch the next episode tomorrow or I will implode. Hahaha. Furthermore, there were subtle wrap-ups of the storylines in the season. My favorite scene in this episode will have to be the one of the girls dancing (I liiike being a giiirl...) - Laurel, Megan, Sage and Rose. I really couldn’t help but smile at this scene, and in a sense, it provides a wordless statement: that this show is, above anything else, all about these ladies.

Photo courtesy of Buzzsugar.

I love the central occasion at which this episode is set - Marco’s wedding. Because we all know Marco is my favorite (I’ve said it a number of times already). His marriage to Keith gets me worried that they might boot him out of the show. I really hope not. Because then I’d be really sad. Awww… (wait a minute, para akong sirang plaka). Anyhow, what follows from the opening discussion about doves vs. fireworks (Marco naman, doves over fireworks? Seriously?! Haha.), and a stream of quirky dialogue (which forms part of the Privi trademark) is a couple of *gasp* breakups and mishaps I just totally did not see coming.

I really thought this episode would set the foundation for a Will-Megan-David (Robert Buckley, who will always be Kirby to me) love triangle. But noooo it doesn’t. It does hit us with a Will-Megan breakup which still surprised me when I saw it happen even if I already knew (I slept through my first viewing of Privi and only woke up to watch them broken up already and to “attend” Marco’s wedding for 2 minutes then slept again. Har-har.). I felt a wee-bit apologetic for siding with Will when Megan actually was right on her position on Will and his work ethic, and then boom! Megan does the most careless thing ever. Poor Will. I officially hate Megan now. Drunk or not, you just don’t do that to Will. Or any guy for that matter.

Photo courtesy of Buzzsugar.

Of course the Will-Megan breakup is enough heartbreak for one episode (even if it’s a season finale). And then comes the curve ball Sage-Luis breakup. Which is sad (because I loved them together), but totally understandable. I happen to think Sage made the right call on this one. Oh Sage, how well you’ve grown. :D

The resonating theme in this episode was that of change vs. being yourself. They couldn’t have picked a better theme for the season finale.

I’m gonna miss you, Privi! Come back, okay?

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Oh, I'm Into You

Ah, the wonders of lowered expectations. The movie reviews for He's Just Not That Into You (HJNTIY) was just not very good. Enough for me to not expect much from it. And part of me really just wanted to watch out of sheer loyalty and support for the book (I'm a Leo, hear me roar! Haha). Another part wanted to conjure an epiphany. Just kidding. Although incidentally, if you wanted one you could probably have gotten it fifteen minutes into the movie with half your attention focused on something else entirely unrelated and much more pressing. Because by its nature, the movie is just epiphany-laden.

The Bad. It is pretty long. But not in an I-wanna-walk-out-already-and-go-home-sorta-way. Just longer than the usual talkies and romantic comedies about relationships. But then again, there are a number of storylines, people! Furthermore, the presentation is pretty kalat if I do say so myself. Which is rather unfortunate coming off from a pretty great introduction. I felt like the dividers (i.e. phrases giving instances of when he is just not that into you) were confusing, if not misplaced. The movie also did a psuedo-cross between an actual movie and a documentary and while the subjects were pretty funny and enlightening, it just felt like the film was trying too hard to be so many things at the same time. I also have to say that the movie was a star-studded waste, in the sense that they could have utilized less popular actors and still provide essentially the same finished product. I get that this would affect the commercial viability of the movie, but where's the confidence in that? The book was a freakin' bestseller. They should have sold the idea, not the actors. Jeez. In all honesty, the only two actors I strongly believe should be in the movie (i. e. not to be replaced by less popular ones) would be Ginnifer Goodwin and that Alex guy (Alex in the movie, not IRL, haha). Who are incidentally not the bigger stars in the cast. Jennifer Aniston, Jennifer Connelly, Drew Barrymore? Totally underutilized (Drew especially) and most probably overpaid. Scarlet Johanson and Ben Affleck? 50-50. Or scratch that, maybe 75-25 for Ben Affleck (because of the cargo pants scene, which is just so romantically cute). Hahaha. But then again, maybe I just missed Ben. :P

The Meh. The Jennifer Connelly and Scarlet storylines. Maybe it's a personal non-inclination but regardless... m-e-h. And to reiterate, they could have made this movie cheaper. Wait a minute, is this why the movie is in the premiere theatres?! Hmp! :)

The Good. As a general rule, I don't like it when movies are too faithful to the book. Because really, what's the point? And in my opinion, it is this particular movie's strongest point. Others may argue that given that the book is technically self-help in nature (i. e., no actual storylines), the movie really won't be faithful to it. Touche. But sentiment-wise, the movie really shifted course from the book by being much more optimistic. And I suspect this was opted for commercial purposes too, because who really wants to watch a movie telling you to kill all hope (I do, I do, I do! Hahaha!)? The optimism is most evident in the closing narration which I quote below.

Girls are taught a lot of stuff growing up: if a boy punches you he likes you, never try to trim your own bangs, and someday you will meet a wonderful guy and get your very own happy ending. Every movie we see, every story we're told implores us to wait for it: the third act twist, the unexpected declaration of love, the exception to the rule. But sometimes we're so focused on finding our happy ending we don't learn how to read the signs. How to tell the ones who want us from the ones who don't, the ones who will stay and the ones who will leave. And maybe a happy ending doesn't include a guy, maybe it's you, on your own, picking up the pieces and starting over, freeing yourself up for something better in the future. Maybe the happy ending is just moving on. Or maybe the happy ending is this: knowing after all the unreturned phone calls and broken-hearts, through the blunders and misread signals, through all the pain and embarrassment... you never gave up hope.

In a sense, the movie was also fairer than the book. In fact, there was even a plotline referring to a she (i. e., she's not just that into you if she's not sleeping with you - which Renil points out is really much more realistic than the he version). Which was a good move because in reality, there are heartless bitches in the world too (maybe a 1:3 ratio with the jerks, haha). So guys, it's really okay to watch the movie too. It will only bash you 85% of the time. Haha. Plus, if and when your significant other pressures you to get married, you can quote Ben Affleck's character like it's the best anti-marriage position ever. Just make sure you both stop watching the movie after that boat scene or all hell will break loose. Hahaha.

The Particularly Noteworthy. Ginnifer Goodwin's character Gigi, may seem to be the most pathetic of them all, but she also is the most endearing. And her plotline, especially the Alex twist, was too darn funny and heartwarming. In fact, they could have made a shorter movie out of this plotline and it might just work. Yes, it's quite exaggerated but throw in the Alex angle and it really becomes cute. :P Whatever anyone's take is, the Gigi-Alex plotline really just drives home this sweet truth: no matter how much of a turn-off, and how majorly pathetic/dramatic/ridiculous/borderline psychotic you are, if he's smitten, he's smitten. You still won't be able to drive him away. A caution to the severely optimistic: Gigi may have been Alex's exception, but you aren't necessarily his. Kill all hope, kill all hope! Hahaha. :) As the book and movie echoes consistently, assume to be the rule, never the exception. You're upside is that you'll be pleasantly surprised if he ever does decide to brave things for you (but then don't expect to be surprised, duh). Because the downside to the contrary is just too much wasted time and energy on your part.

All in All. Despite the fact that I have my personal complaints over the movie, I actually liked it enough that I'd watch it again on DVD (c'mon buzzsugar, you really won't call it back?). I'd recommend it especially to the people who haven't read the book. :)

P. S. Yes, one storyline deliberately not discussed. :) It just doesn't fall under any of the subcategories, okay? Hahaha. =))

P. P. S. Seriously, Myspace?! When was this movie made, 2004? :P

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The Will-Logan Connection

I chanced upon this article in Buzzsugar exploring a theory that viewers of Privileged and Gilmore Girls both happen to like Will and Logan or neither. And while I'm proof that the theory might be valid (I happen to like them both, haha), I can't help but wonder what the parallels are aside from the obvious wealthy boy vibe. Logan was the consummate bad boy but I loved his spontaneity and unpredictable romanticism and because I'm a sucker for reformed bad boy stories (more then than now, haha), Logan quickly catapulted up as my favorite of Rory's boys. Will, on the other hand, though never having a serious relationship prior to Megan, never really struck me as a bad boy. In fact, he was more a nice guy to me. Features-wise, there is very little similarity (for the record, Will is just way hotter, haha) and Will has his act together much more than Logan. So I wonder what other connection there is. Well, whatever. Hahaha. Wait, does Will have daddy issues like Logan? Hmmm...

Maybe I should just parallelize Megan and Rory... Naaahhh, Megan and her fashionable clothes won't stand a chance. I looooove Rory, and I'm a fan of Alexis Bledel. Sigh! I miss Gilmore Girls. Maybe I should have a Gilmore Girls marathon again. Hahaha. I remember the last time I had a Gilmore Girls marathon. Hmmm... Come to think of it, it seems like an appropriate time than any. We'll see. A little while longer...

My Own Confession :D

I was just too darn looking forward to watching Confessions of a Shopaholic. It is to me in 2009 what SATC was in 2008, i. e. the ultimate chick flick. The reviews have been mixed for this film - 3/4s of the world frown upon showing a movie about excessive spending in the midst of an economic meltdown. The other quarter argue that it is escapism at best, which is essentially like shopping to most girls - retail therapy wonder.

When I first found out that Isla Fisher was cast for the role, I really thought to myself, "why her?" I liked her in Wedding Crashers and loved her as April in Definitely, Maybe (I looove Definitely, Maybe!!!) but I seriously wondered whether she could pull off the role of adorably wacky Becky Bloomwood. Well, shame on me. The movie was surprisingly incredibly funny, and 99.99% of the comedic value in the movie emanated from Isla as Becky. While some stunts were hovering toward slapstick already, it was fun nonetheless. Afterwhich I therefore conclude, they couldn't have picked a better Becky.

Suze was also a pretty good complement, even if her moments were fleeting. I actually liked Krysten Ritter since way back in Gilmore Girls days, and she fitted the role of Suze to a T. My personal preference for Luke Brandon was Dermot Mulroney (okay fine, maybe he is a bit too old to play the part), and I was actually thinking that the Luke in the movie (Hugh Dancy) would turn out to be a non-character but he actually did grow on me even if I preferred him to be much more grouchy. Hahaha. :)

All in all, the movie was fun (yes, second time I said that). And waaaaay funnier than I expected it to be (this too, haha). And it is very rare to say this but I wish the movie were longer. In fact, shopaholics might be disappointed to note that there is not that much shopping scenes in the movie (just a lot of animated manequins, haha). Sure, there was this huge almost-catfight over those boots, but to me, there was still less shopping than expected considering how Sophie Kinsella's Becky Bloomwood used to rationalize and agonize over a lot of impluse purchases (some utterly ridiculous). But I guess in light of the current recession, that would be too much.

The movie merged the first two Shopaholic books. Which begs the question... would there be sequels for Shopaholic Ties the Knot and Shopaholic and Baby (Shopaholic and Sister deliberately excluded, haha :P)? But then, I don't think they should (too typical). Let us all just remember Isla Fisher as Becky Bloomwood in that way. Her outfits were too colorful but what the heck? Becky was a colorful character. :)

Darcy's Turn (Spoiler Alert!)

Hot on the heels of Something Borrowed, I flipped the pages to read about Darcy's story this time. I actually expected full-on redemption by Chapter One only to find myself halfway through the book still thinking Darcy is being her shallow, selfish and unapologetic self. Not deserving any sympathy whatsoever. She is even more annoying than Becky Bloomwood in her most annoying times.

When she finally does decide to turn things around, her transformation takes a backseat to her crystallizing moment - the realization that she has more than friendly feelings for Ethan (I knew it! I knew it!). While the friends-turned-lovers tale had never been a personal preference (ahem!), for some reason, I couldn't help but root for them. Sigh! Love and friendship. They are what make us who we are, and what can change us if we let them.

I was expecting a reconciliation between Rachel and Darcy in this book, but I must admit the phone call and subtle patching up (even if Rachel was the second person Darcy called after giving birth) was less than expected but just right. I guess to me it drove home the point that no matter what happened, it is enough for a simple note or phone call for things to be okay again between two very close people.

Other than these though, I have nothing much to say. While the book is a good time-killer/momentary diversion, it lacks the depth of substance that Something Borrowed had. Or perhaps the story was simply more typical, and unfortunately, devoid of any hearty twists (Really, twins? Is that all you've got? Hahaha.). Maybe the Ethan thing was supposed to be the book's main surprise but for some reason I really just saw it coming. It would have been cuter if there were more love-hate moments but Ethan simply caved too soon. Hahaha.

Next stop? Baby Proof. :)

P. S. In retrospect, I can't believe it was only toward the end of the book that I realized why Something Blue was entitled so. I assumed blue = sad, not blue the color. ROFL. =))

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According to Ethan ;)

You can only control your own actions. Not other people's reactions.

~ Emily Giffin in Something Blue

According to Ivan :P

Sighs and silences and avoided conversations are just as important
as the things you do talk about.

~ Cecelia Ahern in If You Could See Me Now

My Favorite TV Characters

The latest TV run is about to come to an end (Privileged will air its last episode soon, sob!), so I thought I'd go ahead and summarize the characters that have made watching absolute pleasure for me.

1. Marco (Privileged) - At the risk of sounding severely redundant, I'm just gonna say, keep 'em coming, Marco plotlines! I'm not yet convinced that Keith is perfect for him (protective much, Yms? hahaha), but I'm not complaining. Privileged with more Marco is always a hoot!

2. Will (Privileged) - The time of Nathan Scott, Justin Walker and Peter Petrelli has come and gone. To me at least, Will is now officially the swoon-worthiest of 'em all. He even trumps Robert Buckley! And I will take your side over Megan anytime, Will. Except I really don't get why you're so insecure about Charlie. He is just the best friend who happens to be a boy (debate again, Renil? :P). And now he's off the show. Awww...

3. Sage (Privileged) - I'm probably one of the ten people in the world who actually like her but I really do! Over Rose and Megan! And especially as Luis' girlfriend. Oops, redundant again. :)

4. Cooper (Private Practice) - I used to watch Private Practice and see Cooper as a non-character. Like someone brought in just to complete the circle of six. Yet lately, he has me genuinely touched, especially with how he has tried to win Charlotte over. And I now even appreciate him more than Pete. He had me sighing and saying "Oh, Coop!" in back-to-back episodes of Private Practice with his long speeches. He is also the bestest best friend in the world. Although I feel you too, Charlotte. I mean, seriously?! Hahaha. :)

5. Karen Darling (Dirty, Sexy, Money) - I used to not like her, thinking she's this dumb person. But the latest season of DSM had me thinking she really is the perfect one for Nick. But then of course they go ahead and cancel the show. Without closure. Mean people! Hahaha.

6. Mark and Lexi (Grey's Anatomy) - I am super rooting for them! They are severely adorable (not to mention incredibly gorgeous) on their own, but them as a couple? So so fun! And funny (yeah, that bit)! During the time when GA has taken a turn towards the crazy, these two have been the show's bright spot for me.

7. Alex (Grey's Anatomy) - Apparently, I'm still a sucker for reformed bad boy stories (even though I have concluded that they are myths and never happen in real life, haha). Alex has really just been incredibly great with Izzy. You rock, Alex! :)

8. Blair Waldorf (Gossip Girl) - Blair is the number one reason why I watch Gossip Girl. Chuck Bass is just a far second. Them as a couple actually bridges the gap between 1 and 2 (yeah, I know there's this whole Nate thing brewing though) Mellow or harsh, the Queen B still rules this show! :)

Please, please, please come back to entertain me more. Don't disappoint! There's so much of that in the real world already. Hahaha. :)

ROFL! =))

P. S. I finally figure out how to embed video clips. Apparently it is e-a-s-y! Hahaha. :)

The Facebook (Sort of) Chain Letter

Have you joined this bandwagon? :) Of course I did, I love this kind of time killer. Hahaha. :)

A Must Borrow (Or Buy)

I finally finished reading one of my books! While this book is not new, it is new for me! Hahaha. Emily Giffin's first book, Something Borrowed may not have the snappy writing that Love the One You're With had, but it had a pretty good story.

I had a vague idea of what the plot of the book was prior to reading, and it made the book an attractive read to me. After all, how can you sympathize with a main character (Rachel) who sleeps with her best friend's (Darcy) fiance (Dex)? It is one of the ultimates of friendship violation and I expected myself to actually dislike Rachel and yet, she is actually totally understandable. Because in a sense, the book summary is right. True love comes at a very high price. And in this case, it can cost you a friendship, even a best friendship (hahaha).

Spoilers abound, but if you wish...

I imagine this book is particularly satisfying for anyone who has ever played the role of the Other Woman (not necessarily in the context of marriage) because it represents a vindication of being in that particular situation. After all, as the book goes, not everything is black and white and sometimes the end justifies the means. And in a sense, I do agree that true love will always triumph over even the most unusual or frowned upon of circumstances.

Surprisingly, even as a quick decision-maker/ultimatum/now-or-never kinda girl, I liked that decision to pick an arbitrary (yet not-so-arbitrary) date for when The Talk between Rachel and Dex will happen. It was refreshing for me to be made to realize that when dealing with something complicated that you don't wanna give up just yet, sometimes it's important to first allow yourself to feel before letting your thoughts (especially when they're severely judgmental and pessimistic) to get in the way. Yes, the outcome could prove disastrous but maybe the happiness (albeit momentary) would make it worthwhile. :)

And while I get why Darcy had to be portrayed in that characterization (anything less will make her boring), I wonder if the sympathy vote would have tilted heavily toward her direction had she been less, errr, bitchy. After all, the point is not that she was being a bitch, hence she had it coming. The point was that no matter how great a girl is, if she's wrong for a guy then that's just how it is. They have no business getting married. And she really shouldn't be forcing herself or the guy to get married.

I also particularly loved the statement about how it was a good thing that it was Dex who made the decision to break it off. Before Darcy could say anything. Because indeed, if Darcy was the one who initiated things then Rachel would always be wondering if Dex ended up with her only because things can no longer work out with Darcy. She would have always wondered whether she was really first choice or was merely chosen by default because the other option fell short. And while some situations can be netiher black nor white, choices always have to be so. Otherwise they aren't really choices, are they?

Giffin's second book is about Darcy this time. And while the teaser isn't as appealing as this particular book, I'm still interested to read it (if only I could find it), in order to see Darcy's side of the story and give her some sort of redemption (See, I am so fair! Why are other people not fair? Hahaha). I'm hoping Darcy ends up with Ethan. ;)

P. S. A movie for Something Borrowed might be on its way?! Except it stars Hilary Swank as Rachel. Ugh! >.<

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On Missing Someone

Missing someone isn't about how long it's been since you've seen them last. Or the amount of time since you've talked. It's about that very moment when you're doing something, and you wish, you wish that they were right there with you.