The Grudge (1-3 and the next...if any)

The first, the part 2 and 3 are all incorporated herein as I decided not to waste time analyzing each and every installment seeing the same boy, the crawling lady and arrrrgggh!! Please! I have had enough of that rattling sound!! I was almost summoned to human resource due to massive complains when I set it as my ring tone several years ago. When will the curse of this closet-bitch wife ends as she keeps on victimizing purely innocent people along with their family and even neighbors? Oh well, Takashi Shimizu made me scream out loud with the story, musical scoring, and make-up effects but critic-wise it’s a two thumbs down for me. Really!

Tagline: It never forgives, it never forgets.

Here’s my grudge about this flick. Ok, you are infatuated to a white dude, recorded everything you feel about him in a diary and when your husband read it, he broke your neck and stuck you in the attic. Not just that. He drowned your little boy, gashed a poor kitty’s throat then later took his own life. Even this cutie you’ve been following all the time jumped to his end upon discovering what happened. Now you’re back and cursing anyone to death and what in rage you're doing this you desperate stalker?!

Kayako – eradicated due to alleged infidelity, proven though diary. According to some laws of karma, what goes around comes around.

Takeo – eradicated through suicide out of guilt due to his wrath. Based on Dante’s 7 deadly sins, you possessed some of it.

Toshio – eradicated but errr…kids should really always be in their room studying, playing games, and taking a nap or early in bed especially when there’s a commotion in the house. Never listen to adult’s conversion. But yeah, the world still owes you something.

The only thing who doesn’t deserve any cruelty in that house is no other than the CAT! It’s just a poor pet with no thinking and so cute and should be the one taking revenge about its horrible fate. This is absurd, let’s get serious.

Innocent souls… how come they deserve such horrible death if they just stumble into something out of chance? A simple law of karma is missing here. Same as the soul who left the flesh will definitely be back in some time (reincarnation) or waiting for the end of time (revelation) still can’t do anything anymore when gone. This is a movie of humans with unspoken passion, jealousy, guilt and mostly innocence and yet none of them are qualified to grudge and come back slaughtering strangers because of it. What logical reason they have? All went here is just another mind’s product compared to that willy wonka’s “world of pure imagination” schema again.

But the death rattle sound really made a world-wide scare phenomenon, but still it faded in time. If you want to scream out loud to release stress, then go watch this movie. But if you want to scare yourself with sensible content, go back to Sixth Sense.

*wink

Liar, Liar

He’s a liar. No a lawyer. A liaawwyer… To make it simple, he’s the one in suit, always go to court and talk to the judges. It’s very hard to conclude if lying is indeed the only legal substance making this career lucrative compared to other profession. Well I guess it depends on how a lie should be curved or twisted to benefit the exploited and not the other way around. Lies are fallback for anything or by anyone who doesn’t conform to reality. Ever since the earth was realized to be two-thirds covered by sea water and the rest is covered by our asses, I may also say it’s atmospherically coated with lies.

Tagline: “Trust Me”

A successful lawyer who takes pride in his work by habitual lying to win a case, intimidating and much respected by his peers suddenly met the day he loathed, a day of no lies! With a broken marriage and very little time spent with his son, Fletcher is one character who warped his own trail of mendacity after realizing what really matters to him and what he will lose if he keeps on failing that line “Trust Me”.

An innocent’s wish out of natural need is one perfect reason for that change. It maybe spurred with fantasy but it give us a picture of how the complication of things can be cut down totally (mostly yes but not partially) only if we get rid ourselves of too much lies, pretension, and denials. How long can anyone refuse the sincere bids of reality rather than clinging to the sad temporaries of deceit in order to be, happy?

L-L-Lies, aside from the fact a hit song by Diana King (and the Thompson Twins in the 80’s) is also a spurious friendship ingredient where people choose to flatter and be flattered, like a bitter fruit sugarcoated to trick and gets everyone sick.

It's easier to lie, why don’t you try? Brag and feed the world of words that
somehow set a fire. A drop of truth hurts but soothes the mind and all the like. But lying keeps a tongue unkind and later there’ll be cry.

Only those who fear lie.

M. NIght Shyamalan's "The Village"

Before I start talking about “those we do not speak of “, finally I already gained the jumpstart of blogging mood in which I severely neglected due to my previous agony of the burdened with the dotnet coding. It made me feel like I was hell scourged, crucified and haven’t completely resurrected yet. The words of praising, critic and mocking are back, and so freshed-up to start with this flick of M. Night Shyamalan where they consider the limelight of his started to shut off and the taste went against the world. Not for me, I like it.

Tagline: “Their Days of Peace Are Over”

A hidden community run by the “Elders” is somehow comparable to that 70’s series “Little House of the Prairie” scenario and life was designed to be simple, peaceful and nailed to be backward. But then along with this composed living they enjoy, they also live in fear and the strolling is limited, or else they might horribly shake hands with the claws of those “creatures” in the woods using their necks. They also have this avoidance of the “bad color”, and an old style kind of yellow ponchos outfit they need to wear every time making a peace offering with those they trespassed.

A man’s curiosity to step out of the rules that almost cost him his life has also paved way for another soul with limited senses but immeasurable love later gave answer and total picture of what is to be really feared from the forbidden.

Can this be like the global term for peace? Where the usual trend of instilling fear within the people is done in real time reporting of uber fabricated stories via all kinds of media that will later create tension, division and of course, another upswing of human ignorance? But how can we instill peace if we use fear to contain things we do not desire of? Opinions will rise politically, academically and socially, and in which I decided not to iterate and speak of in this blog.


Extracted from my onion-skinned thinking, I believe that everything proscribed always has its own way to be let loosed and allowed in a most proper and payable time. But it takes a curious mind to question, a loving heart willing and brave enough to face the uncertain and blindfoldedly fight the world’s “creatures” to defeat fear, and then later save lives.

Am I relating to this? Could be, and that’s why I passion the director!

Dan in Real Life

After making myself some extra long-term plans to be surprised, let me ask then, “what part of this movie is supposed to give me comfort?!” Absolutely I say…all of it! Profound plot, funny and the casting isn’t bad; from the beginning till the end everything went so brilliant. After watching this flick it made me feel like “my heart is just pounding, like it's actually outside my ribs, exposed, vulnerable, but wonderful and awful, and heartsick, and alive, all at the same time”. I am not exaggerating here, I snatched that line from the movie itself and by fact I also had two extra brewed Americano as I slid the disc in and sat back.

Favorite Tagline: Love is not a feeling, it’s an ability.

A newspaper columnist named Dan along with his three (3) daughters went to a family get-together vacation, and from this very short incident their lives changed drastically nobody has ever anticipated. A widower who is content with what he has and attached to his work suddenly met the woman who awakened him from a very long love-life siesta happens to be the same lady his brother is dating. For what he believe is worth fighting for, he took the risk.

Love just happen … *batting eyelashes*. Some people rested their “chronicle-mi-amor” on a low-profile mode so to allow some space and focus on what is seen deeming important. Career is mostly the reason here. But no matter how long we’ve been resolute to our job and so satisfied caressing that mouse, trusting those keys and running our eyes to that alluring 1024x768 (or more) pixel screen, a surprising moment will just come along and make us feel back that warm or extra warm under-a-new-pair-of-arms sensation! It also give options to take it or leave it, and the taking requires firm effort that might jeopardize those around us and even our best laid plans. After a long period of not having that feeling, can you perhaps… or still possess that ability to try?

A heart may pause to rest if it’s weary, but never refuse a chance whenever it’s ready. We may feel and we may think it could be love, yet worthless until mutually make a brave start.

The world will hate, hell might break,
but let heaven rate if we can pass its gate.

Keep on loving!

A Lot Like Love

“Honestly, if you're not willing to sound stupid you don't deserve to be in love.” Can this be real? Well of course! Who made it to be so smartly in-love without giving-up their egos and losing their selves just to keep a relationship and please their partners? But if you’re a complete self-centered, selfish person who only cares for what you get and manipulate your partner on your best interest, better buy a dog or any furry animal and content yourself then.

Tagline: There's nothing better than a great romance... to ruin a perfectly good friendship.

Oliver and Emily met in a very funny and sexy situation on their way to New York. After having fun wandering places in the city, sharing stories and some few alcohols, Oliver bragged about having a plan of a successful career, job and raising a family. Realizing they are poorly suited to each other, they decided to meet-up after six years and see what’s next. Within the period of six years they occasionally call and meet-up especially when they’re broken hearted. They listened, party, dine just like any ordinary friends do (well of course they still enjoy some “special” time).

Several years had gone Oliver found himself jobless, broke and living with his parents again. With not much dignity and options left, he tried to connect with Emily and then later things went well between them, as lovers this time. But what made me like this movie after all? For Oliver’s side, I admire his guts to make him self ready for love even if he has nothing to offer. And for Emily, after discovering what’s inside that old film, it’s good enough reason to give a chance with Oliver who has nothing to offer except his love.

Finding love is not hard only if we avail our self to it. We can decide who to love and when to love the moment we feel that very special sincere feeling to someone. Do we really need gigantic plans to impress somebody? Or a huge bank account laid on us will definitely make us jump into a relationship? It’s too material isn’t it? Omitting that very dark side of reality, we still need to take chances. But then we also knew that no matter how far we chase a star and grabbed it in our hands… if it won’t shine on us, we should better let loose. We can always be hopeful for the next one coming anyway. Am I relating to what I’m saying here? Hurt of letting go of something special or whatever?

Well, if it wasn't love, it was a lot like it!!!

Coming Soon…

A Lot Like Love, The Village, Liar Liar, Dan in Real Life, The Grudge

The English Patient

It was 13 years ago when I watched this movie in the theatre. A good friend of mine invited me to see this yet I have no idea what it’s all about, not even familiar of the actors. We left the cinema as my friend dragged me out and decided not to finish it, I don’t know what came into her. For me, it’s kinda good movie yet emotionally heavy.

Taglines: In love, there are no boundaries. In memory, love lives forever.

Let me focus on the story between Almasy and Katharine, their affair I mean. As I was reading some of my downloaded files from the internet regarding Hindu, Sikh and Buddhism faith, this movie came into my mind when I read the teachings about karma and keypoints about the roots of all human sufferings…attachment.

People have different definition of what love is. From this movie, what existed between Almasy and Katharine is one hell of a cursed one that shouldn’t be admired nor be considered as love. For me it’s a forbidden one, lustful and very selfish. It maybe passion, but not something notable like “The Notebook” and extraordinary like “While You Were Sleeping”. After allowing all those passions burst out and sweetly taste the illegalities of such emotions…who want to spend dying alone in a dark cave or remain lying on bed, unrecognizable because of the I don’t know how much degree of burn he got …360?

It’s very passionate, but very wrong. I’m not trying to be hypocrite in this one but this is somehow made me realize that love is indeed an attachment. Well of course we still need to be in-love…like they said it’s the only way to be happy. Yes for the first few years but when things go unlikely, endure the adversities as well.

But how do we look on a right kind of love? Something that wouldn’t turn us like what happened to Almasy and Katharine? Simple as this: Be sure your partner is single!

Analyze This

“You, you…you took a bullet for me?!”

“You, you…you took a bullet for me?!”

A very odd friendship between a psychologist and a mafia gang lord, Dr. Ben Sobel and Paul Vitti, but I tell you this is an ideal one if we talk about the necessities of rich and genuine relationship, especially between friends.

Tagline: New York's most powerful gangster is about to get in touch with his feelings. YOU try telling him his 50 minutes are up.

A mafia gangster who’s suffering from an emotional breakdown, having a hard time doing his usual stuff like… killing? He asked a professional advice from Ben who really went nuts attending to all his whims even to the point of being woke-up in the middle of the night because of his inability to get an erection. From a simple car crash to the exchange of personal secrets, Ben and Paul are an admiring tandem with opposing characters yet made a radical change in their lives including…changing for good.

It does pay when you pay attention to somebody that can possibly lead to something we don’t expect. Ben didn’t look at Paul as a scary gang lord in that sort but somehow a person who just simply needs a professional help. As he perceived him as a helpless individual, he catered his service without judgment in his heart, and yet he proved somehow that in-between him and Paul, he is the Boss.

We sometimes overlook situations we’re facing because we’re too busy looking only to our own needs. We tend to easily ignore people, who we see as less interesting because they aren’t part of a good society, doesn’t fit within our interests, or simply they are not in our priority. But as we close our door to listen to others, we also deprived ourselves a chance to be known and understood. We might just only be contented squatting on our own un-purchased space, unrecognized. But somehow life can be more funny and challenging if we welcome people regardless of their indifference or oddness, we can still learn something from them!

Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan

Jagshemash! Family retardation and sex within the family is not considered funny in America … and anywhere of course! LOL! I chuckle every time this movie enters my mind, and of course I laughed like hell the first time I watched in it DVD (not from cinema). It’s too original with unadulterated plot, side-splitting scenes and … *chuckle* *chuckle*

Kazakhstan…a beautiful country I believe, having those cool mountains and lakes as seen on the movie …and the adorable town Kuzcek. After being introduced to the town mechanic, the town rapist and his sister, Borat is on a mission to visit the US of A to learn things more about the nation’s culture along with his producer, Azamat. But then the mission went unlikely as he fell in love with Pamela Anderson when he saw her on TV then later convinced his producer to go to California instead to locate and marry her.

On the way to California, Borat met different kind of people from politicians, hip-hoppers, homosexuals, evangelists and even a prostitute. His journey made him understand what the country has to offer, the realities and experienced it by him self and not just through scheduled interviews and meetings as planned. And what did he learn that would benefit his country Kazakhstan? Nothing. Haven’t been in America yet I already concluded that it’s no superior country among the others; they also have their own hardships and good days to deal with, just like the rest. Culture adaptation is not that easy to embrace, as for American culture is for Americans just like Asians for Asian culture.

He went back home along with a new wife and an I-pod. But he also brought with him a lesson that he learned during his stay in the USA, the ups and downs…the fight with his producer, and especially the fact that he just can’t put a woman on a sack because he wants to marry her. So sad there is no sequel for this!

If Only

Sniff, sniff…tissue please … I mean the whole box!! *Sobs*

Yes, this movie made me cry even on the fourth time I watched it…really! I’ve seen many love stories coated with some fantasies but this one made me feel like ... I’ll cry again the next time I watch it. It’s a London set-up story about two lovers living together and having a good time until a tragedy came in and that left the man in dreadful pain as his girlfriend died of car accident.

Tagline: “He loved her like there was no tomorrow”. Was it a premonition? Or another bit of fantasy that made Ian correct things in order to save his girlfriend’s life from a certain death … in exchange of his? This is one good love story that tells everyone to appreciate people in our lives while they’re still there for us, and it’s terribly regretful if we lose them without telling how important they are with too much remorse in our hearts.

He was given a second chance to correct things. In less than 24 hours before he knew Samantha will meet her fate, he did everything to show her how much he appreciate, love and support her. This made Samantha feels strange somehow because for all she knew, Ian isn’t really like that and she even believes she loves him more than he does. In few minutes before the time will meet the end for Samantha, Ian did something that changed everything, he sat himself to where his girlfriend should be.

The end of it Samantha left sorrowful after losing Ian, without knowing that he took a fate that is supposed to be hers. They have been separated but somehow there are neither laments nor regrets to consider anymore, just untainted love.

sniff…

Return of the Jedi

I’m a big fan of this James Cameron saga… and the force is still with me after 26 years. This is actually the last installment of Anakin Skywalker’s love and battle story that was shown in cinema just right after I received my grade school diploma, and now I’m working and enjoying the recently regressed episodes of this film.

When Anakin was still young, he was already sensed differently by some Master Jedis but was considered a danger as well by the others because of his remarkable attitude …so emotional. Don’t correct me on this, he really was! He’s a gifted boy at his early age, easily flares-up, quickly fell in love with a woman, a mama’s boy, a devoted but insane lover … and lastly, the best father of all.

And who says Luke is the star in this film? Not even Han Solo or Princess Lea, they just appeared in the last (first?) 3 episodes but Anakin was in it all the time and the season really evolved in him. From being a boy mechanic, a Jedi apprentice, a Jedi warrior, an evil Darth Vader and later ended-up as a plain father who weren't able to stomach seeing his own son electrocuted by the Sith emperor.

Let’s say, he wasn’t that bad after all. He could have done some terrible mistakes by selling his own soul to the dark side just to save his girlfriend’s life but at the end, he still did the right thing to straighten his past boo-boo. This movie somehow made me believe that anyone can change in time. No matter how nasty or unlikely an attitude is, time can change anything and anyone. Well of course it just ticked on the right situation if the person decides to change.

The Forgotten

I don’t like this movie… but then I’ll go a bit further and share what disappointed me here. It’s about a devastated mother who lost her son and grieved for a year and everyone around her thinks she’s insane including her husband. She even went to see a shrink to help her recover from her miseries and yet only to give tips on how to deal with hallucinations. This persistent mother is Telly.

With some evil alien who bumped into the middle of the story that somehow gave answers to Telly’s search for her lost son, but then…where is this dude came from? And even her shrink who’s been convincing that she’s inventing a son in her thoughts knows this unexplained character. They should have told the viewers from the start about these experimenting people who suck anyone from the sky testing humans on “who easily forgets … mommy or daddy?”

Tagline: “You'll Never Forget the Ones You Love”. These two parents, Telly and Ash, who both lost their son and daughter in a mysterious plane crash worked together when they realized something wrong is happening around. But what made Ash forgot he has a daughter and it was Telly who made him remember everything? Does it mean that a mommy doesn’t easily forget but a daddy does? I think so…based on my own experience but not applicable for all I guess.

This is how I simply understand this...this… ok let’s call this a movie for Julian Moore’s sake. If not for the reason she appeared in one of Hannibal Lecter saga, I would surely mock this flick. And mostly, I didn't drop a jaw nor a piece of popcorn when I watched it. This film is soon to be forgotten I think...and it does already.

Wall-E

A robot love story … actually not really. I can say this movie tells something more than emotions developed by squeaking and bleeping robots. It is more of a warning for over-consumption in this world that might end up all of us residing in space someday. And also, please watch on your diet, you can’t just sit the whole day in your life and everything you do is chat with people on screen and anything comes to you automatically, laziness it is. Well actually I’ve been seeing these nowadays; people are getting big with all the junk they eat and not stretching a limb to make them fit or sweat at all. A movie of the only surviving robot fixing all the trashes in the world along with his pet, cricket; enjoying a collection of plastic spoons and forks, lighters, rubix cube and a Hello Dolly musical video. Actually his life is quite settled already until this smart, specially designed robot Eve came to the world to look for a sign of life particularly a plant. I love the scene when the song “La Vie en Rose” was played, sweet! It could be a sign of true love, between robots? Oh c’mon don’t give me those craps.

Ok, ok it’s a joke for us but it could be an abstraction of what real love is. When you finally found that one; you will definitely do everything, patiently wait, follow that person to a place you’ve never been, and even get struck by a lightning several times. Awww, that is fatal. Ok we’re not robots but let’s just note what Wall-E exemplified in this movie. Not collecting garbage of course, not just the love, but his hopeful attitude to go back to earth even when Eve lost her interest to do so. I won’t forget the scene when Wall-E put his thread on M-O’s face that made the latter freaked out!

Untraceable

@$#*&!!! I don’t know why I have to put this on my blog, this is actually the sickest of all sick movies I've ever seen in my life! After watching this flick I found myself cursing all the fake gods and goddesses of middle earth, an old neighbor who took my cat and my pressure went 220/170 in spite of my cholesterol is below average! Whew! I need a paper bag!

“Tagline: A cyber killer has finally found the perfect accomplice: You.” No way! How can I be an accomplice if my ISP has to do the first thing not to make such stupidity be online? Could it be human nature to enjoy watching people getting tortured? This is sick indeed. Just the thought of seeing someone I know getting killed online would surely make me faint. This movie is all about a heartless cyber killer with hardened-stomach online visitors who enjoys torture scenes including those in the FBI’s. And what the hell it can’t be traced? What technology are they running? Way back from the 60’s? This movie I think is one nice-try copying the Silence of the Lamb stuff.

Oh c’mon, who can be worst than Hannibal Lecter as a movie villain? Ok Diane Lane is fine but the role isn’t compromising, being Unfaithful still works on her I think. How could I possibly know the email addresses of those who created this plot to send tons of angry comments without me being traced? Sending a message like “hey you talent less freaks, you’re a disgrace to yourselves” or “did u guys ran out of idea to make a new decent film?! Make a career change, try selling umbrellas!”

Grrrrr…

Scent of a Woman

Whoa! Ok that’s where I got the expression, a movie 17 years ago and won an Oscar for Best Actor and of course, Al Pacino. I watched this movie over and over again. Imagine two unlikely strangers, met by circumstances that made a lasting change to each other’s lives, in just few days of being together. Lt. Frank Slade is blind and retired, planning to end-up his life but suddenly a young man named Charlie came into his life when he was hired to look after him. Charlie is having a school dilemma of his own that time, but the opportunity of having Frank gave him not just a person to look after but a man he has to look up to.

I was too fascinated with the taglines in this movie… there are a lot to mention indeed. But one of my favorite is when Frank is about to approach a girl who happens to be alone in her table and said, “The day we stop lookin', Charlie, is the day we die”. I believe this. For me, this phrase could mean that anyone should move on with their lives no matter how much failed relationships or heartache they had. Nothing would stop us to become hopeful again in finding new one and start again … start of another headache! We might become skeptic but still we must revive trust in all situations, for every relationship has its beginning and its end, but the hope must not. Another tagline I took note is, “When in doubt ... fuck”. This is more about risk taking I think. Yes Frank said this to his cat before leaving with Charlie, but anyone can be like a cat knowing all the curiosities in life will only have an answer if we did make a try. The ending was so great and pleasing. And of course, the tango!

A movie of two unlikely people with poignant feelings but later healed and brought a lasting change in just few days of being together. Very inspiring and magnificent!

Step-Up 2

Ok, was it the Low? Or that cool boom-boom heartbeat-like style they had on their dance that made me so insane in this movie? I know this is better than the first one, and not because the leading character is a female, but this one tells the ugliness and beauty of friendships. When Andie lost her time being with her street-dance friends because she needs to focus on her studies, everything went unlikely. They refused her and hurt some new friend she has. She eventually found new ones, not the popular material in the campus, odd personalities somehow but still they possess the ability to dance like her and they created a team.

Tagline: “It's not where you're from. It's where you're at”. My favorite relationship Andie has with her friends is with Moose. It’s very hard to find a friend who always supports you in everything you do. Understanding, caring, no malice, and of course shares the same interest like you …dancing! Though I was kinda questioning their dance that went coincidentally with the rain? It’s perfectly hard to dance with that weather. Could it be like this movie is trying to tell us like “it’s good to dance even if we’re having the “rain” in our life? Nah, I’m just exaggerating in this one.

Friendships always require mutual understanding and mostly respect, in all angles I believe. We may not have the same interests but somehow, we should be mindful of our friend’s sake rather than our own. It’s not the camaraderie that measures everything; it’s the perceptive idea knowing that friends reside in our hearts and not on parties, discotheques or any gatherings. And one thing to make a perfect friendship is accepting them for who they are, and not for what we expect them to be.

Forrest Gump

“Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re gonna get”. Forrest Gump is a simpleton who made tons of achievements in life, deprived of intelligence but is pure of heart. But how? I can’t be mean to this movie, I love it and I have proven that it doesn’t need an amount of intelligence or power in this world to be successful and happy in life. We all just need to try things and mostly, be responsible in our actions. From being such a good son who always listen to her mom, an awarded soldier from the Vietnam war, and loving only one woman in his life, this made Forrest an amazing character in this movie. But, can anyone be like Forrest in real life? Anyone can.

It’s unimaginable to think sometimes you will always be surrounded by good people in your life. It could be tough as well if you were put into war and witnessed violence without suffering post traumatic disorder afterwards. He became a sports personality, a businessman, devoted to a woman since childhood, and still content to mow the grass in his home. Very few people he loved, loads of feats, but few miseries. Guess the only pain he battled is when his jenny left him for awhile and he ran for years.

I never get tired watching this movie. All I can see from this flick is the sincerity of a man, with no ill-intentions to anyone and anything, but just doing things as it is and as demanded, following orders and doing what his heart desire. I also have my own box of chocolates, and all I can say is that I tried most of them and experienced different flavors. I got some bitter and sour-taste chocolates, but whatever what’s in the fillings, it’s still chocolate for me. I know I will never ran-out of chocolate in my life.

Legends of the Fall

One of my unforgettable Brad Pitt and Anthony Hopkins film, very remarkable movie it is but Oscarless...ah no, they got 1 I think. But, is this what will really happen if all brothers fell in love with the same woman and suddenly things turned out like hell? Goodness gracious the father didn’t desire her too. I guess he sanely reserved himself seeing an ugly future this woman will bring into their home, knowing his sons went gaga after meeting this lady. Ok, from the eldest and very responsible but nobody’s favorite Alfred, the wild, long-haired Tristan who happens to be everyone’s apple of the eye (including a little indian girl who eventually became his wife), and lastly ET’s ex-best friend Samuel, the smart but naïve. The brotherhood of Ludlows were tested in war, torned by passion and guilt, then later ended-up when the most favorite was ripped-off by a bear.

Tagline: “After the Fall from Innocence the Legend Begins”. Fall of innocence from the brutality of war when they almost lose their sanity? Or sanity was loosened already when they met susanah even before going to war? Ok maybe they’re all insane since birth and they were put together to see how cruel life is when you’re too emotionally attached to almost everyone. But what made Tristan so favorite? From the father, the youngest ludlow, susanah, and the two-decker Indian…they all love him. Tristan is fearless. From cutting off a bear’s claw when he was young, cut open his dead brother’s chest, and lately broke his big brother’s heart when he won susanah’s heart. What a man he is! Or was.

All of us aren’t just tested on failed relationships, a loss of people we love, nor from the horrors of violence we experienced, but the test continues as we moved-on with our life after dealing with these. From the very first heartache to the last date we had, we are still running our own legend. It may be hard sometimes but an unexpected “Fall” is always a ladder to a new chapter of legend, not a loss of innocence but a rebirth indeed.

Not all unfortunate endings are really sad as it seems. It may not have a good ending, but it made a good story, a good legend.

The Mummy 3: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor

Tai won gui mummies?! Ok, this is 3rd installment of this mummy-kissing-rick-o'connells-ass flick. But who is this @$#% new chick who replaced evelyn? *Sobs* uh ok...but wait, Michelle Yeow my favorite though-kinda-old-but-still-look-gorgeous-to-me starred here! Whoa! Something new? Ah yes, the little boy alex, rick and evelyn's only son is now a grown-up man and already made his testosterone yacking on a beautiful chinese babe. Whatever. The usual stuff, dusty mummies again but this time it’s Asian…Chinese mummies!

Tagline: “A New Evil Awakens”. Or could be “A New Evil from the great wall who was cursed because he can't understand sanskrit Awakens”. This emperor is really powerful, cruel, but I guess his folks invested more by sending him to military schools to be tough enough and forgot to throw a glimpse on language learning center. Ok enough on my kvetching. My favorite scene here is when Zi Juan (Michelle Yeoh) pushed herself to the emperor's sword and died eventually just to grab the spear in his waist. Even before that, she sacrificed her and her daughter's immortality to those mandarin speaking gods to bring those old enemies of the emperor back to life to join the battle, and make the battle more dusty. Sweet. Too much sacrifices but how come she was tagged earlier as a witch?

This Zi Juan character I admire reflected not just love by sacrificing her life, but also a complete trust to those people she fought with, the O'Connell's and her daughter. Knowing that even without her, they can possibly defeat this verrrry bad mummy-transforming-beast emperor. I think she already read the family's resume even before making sacrifices and she was completely impressed…like a multinational CEO hiring a friendless, straight A college grad.

Can't wait for the next latin-speaking mummies!

The Mummy Returns

I find this movie so very family, a dad and mom with their little boy, plus an annoying uncle of the kid and look, they were able to survive all the curses casted on them by this bald-resurrected imhotep priest. Was it luck? Or they're just too fit as a family team to successfully defeat these supernatural beings because of the unfading love they have for each other? Yeah it’s just a movie but imagine if there could be things like that. Well anyway, what i enjoyed perfectly in this flick is when Evelyn gave Anck Su Namun a head-butt during their fight and the latter found it kinda new. I never liked the scorpion king effects and stuff, I always prefer mano e mano fight, so natural.

The tagline for this movie is "The most powerful force on earth is about to be unleashed by the two people who should know better." It made sense to me. Imhotep and his lover Anck Su Namun reincarnated themselves to start a new series of stupidity in the world and yet they failed several times. Saddest part is, Anck left Imhotep hanging on his death only to find herself fall and be eaten by those highly stimulated and creepy bugs who gets into your skin. One thing that puzzled me was the battle between humans and the mummy scorpions. When the latter disappeared in an instant as they are to collide, no one sneezed nor coughed! C'mon it’s a very dusty fight, someone should have those dust entered their nostrils and sneezed, or choked as well.

Ok, maybe sneezing and coughing aren't good idea for movies like this. But it should be. Eve from Wall-E sneezed when they ran from the sand storm, and she's a robot!