I AM - 2010

Category: Movie

Genre: Documentary

Director: Tom Shadyac

Producer: Flying Eye Productions, Homemade Canvas Productions, Shady Acres Entertainment

Stars: Tom Shadyac, Desmond Tutu, Lynne Mctaggart, Noam Chomsky


Tagline:  The Shift is about to hit the fan


With all the documentaries we saw, there is really nothing new to the concept Tom Shadyac is giving. However, this video is really great in a sense that it would really support those who are still waking up. Also, it shows his journey of seeking for the truth. What makes it even more interesting is that he is the man behind successful Hollywood Films, like Ace Ventura, Liar, Liar and more.

With his Hollywood Life and feeling empty and meaningless, he began searching for the truth after a biking accident. Going back to the essentials and thought of having a documentary with 2 Questions:

"What's Wrong with the World?" and "What can we do about it?"

Simple. Also very good film for the youth.

I like how he ended it.. :)

The Hot Zone - Richard Preston

Category: Book

Genre: Non-Fiction / Bio-Thriller

Author: Richard Preston


This book actually recounts the history of ebola virus and marburg virus. The hair-rising idea of having this airborne virus spreading can be quite terrifying.

For awhile there, this book actually kind of "scared" me. And when I bought this I never really thought it was accounting for something that really happened in real life. It was an easy read because it was written like a story, and not some techie-bio-sci-thingamajig. 

Also, Preston has this analogy that fatal viruses, are acting as the Earth's own antibodies. Protecting the environment from encroachment of humans. Invasions of the deep rain forests are just warnings for humans to stay away. It's like "The Happening", eh? More like, the Earth responding in a different way.

and because it managed to scare me, i'm giving it a 4.5 :)

The King's Speech - 2010

Category: Movie

Genre: Biography, Drama, History

Producer: See-Saw Films, Bedlam Productions

Writer: David Seidler

Director: Tom Hooper

Tagline: It takes leadership to confront a nation's fear. It takes friendship to conquer your own.

Cast: Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush, Helena Bonham Carter, Guy Pearce, Jennifer Ehle, Michael Gambon, Derek Jacobi and more.

A review and overview of the movie The King's Speech.

This is a biopic of England's King George VI(Colin Firth), the father of Queen Elizabeth II year 1925. After his brother abdicates, George ('Bertie') reluctantly assumes the throne. Plagued by a stammer and the inability to speak in a crowd with low self-confidence he considers himself unfit to be king and was reluctant.

King George engages the help of an unorthodox speech therapist from Australia named Lionel Logue (Geoffrey Rush). Through a set of unexpected techniques, and as a result of an unlikely friendship, Bertie is able to find his voice and boldly lead the country through war.

It's a slow movie but mainly because it is that. But, despite it's rather "simple" cinematography, the values that you get from this wonderful film is a winner. It is simple but very moving... and I think movies ought to be something like this. It's a wonderful testament that you don't need super special effects and other out-of-this world elements to make a great movie.

It is warm and inspiring... often humorous... and the tagline says it all: It takes leadership to confront a nation's fear. It takes friendship to conquer your own.

How amazing trust and friendship can take you to conquer your fear. :)

Lionel: [as George "Berty" is lighting up a cigarette] Please don't do that.
King George VI: I'm sorry?
Lionel: I believe sucking smoke into your lungs will kill you.
King George VI: My physicians say it relaxes the throat.
Lionel: They're idiots.
King George VI: They've all been knighted.
Lionel: Makes it official then.

The Blind Side - 2009

Category: Movie

Genre: Biography, Drama, Sport

Director: John Lee Hancock

Writer: John Lee Hancock / Michael Lewis

Cast: Sandra Bullock, Tim McGraw, Quinton Aaron, Jae Head, Lily Collins, Ray Mckinnon, Kim Dickens, Adriane Lenox, Kathy Bates, Catherine Dyer and more.

Overview and Review of The Blind Side written and directed by John Lee Hancock.


This movie was from the book written by Michael Lewis, with the same title. And this may have been the most touching story of 2009. :) It touched me here *touches her heart*.

Michael Oher (Quinton Aaron) or Big Mike, like what others call him, is an over-sized, high school kid from Memphis' inner city with no academic records and a drug addict for a mom. He is accepted into a local Christian high school when the football coach recognizes his potential.

You'd almost think the movie would involve a lot of football since it involves the story of a football star. But, this time, the highlight isn't football, but a wonderful story that was well delivered by the main cast and even the supporting actors/actresses.

The first few scenes were touching, makes you want to cry (and it made me cry!!!). I love the acting. Sandra Bullock, is one fine actress (and to say that is an understatement) and she nailed this role pretty well. This could be her best movie to date. Quinton, also did very well. He played the part very well. If not, the audience wouldn't cry. Jae Head was real fun. The connection to the characters at the beginning was established well.

Poignant movie. The movie is great because of the acting and story and not because the scenes or effects are good. Movies like these nowadays are rare. Well done, well done! I recommend for young kids and adults watch it. :)




Kudos to Sandra Bullock for winning the Best Actress Award at the recent Oscar's for this movie. She deserves it!

The Aviator - 2004

Category: Movie

Genre: Biography / Drama

Writer: John Logan

Director: Martin Scorsese

Producer: Forward Pass, Appian Way and more.

Tagline: For some men, the sky was the limit. For him, it was just the beginning.

Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Cate Blanchett, Kate Beckinsale, John C. Reilly, Alec Baldwin, Gwen Stefani, Jude Law, Alan Alda, Ian Holm, Danny Huston, Adam Scott,

Overview and Review of The Aviator directed by Martin Scorsese.

I heard about this movie when Dr. Andre mentioned it in one of his seminars, a movie about one of the richest man in the world. The movie begad as a young Hughes directs one of Scorsese's favorite films, Hell's Angels. Hughes was an obsessed man when it comes to details from the planes to cloud formations which can prolly drive you crazy. He also makes controversial huge budget films. This was a movie on his life from the 1920s to 1940s.

Interesting and good cinematography as well, but it was a long movie for me. A good autobiography at that. Maybe, I watched it a the wrong time. I was helluva sleepy. Good performance of the actors and actresses. And, i think the movie was in a hurry in the end.

Peaceful Warrior - 2007

Category: Movies

Genre: Non-Fiction, Based on a True Story

Director: Victor Salva

Writer: Kevin Berndhart, Dan Millman

Genre: Drama, Sport,

Tagline: There are No Ordinary Moments

Overview and Review of the movie Peaceful Warrior

This is based on a book "The Way of a Peaceful Warrior". It is about a young overachiever in gymnastics named Dan Millman who met a stranger at night in a gasoline station whom he named as "Socrates".

It is great for them to come up with this memorable movie of a lifetime. With great many aphorism and lessons to learn such as living in the moment, and more.

Very very inspiring. I could gush over this movie the whole day!! I actually watched it.. mhmmm around 10 times already? That's how great the movie is!

This is a no nonsense film... but a wonderful film that could inspire you to stay in the present moment! :)

Memorable Quotes:

Socrates: A warrior does not give up what he loves, he finds the love in what he does

---

Dan Millman: The journey is what brings us happiness not the destination
Dan Millman: The ones who are hardest to love are usually the ones who need it the most.
Dan Millman: A warrior is not about perfection or victory or invulnerability. He's about absolute vulnerability.

Tuesdays with Morrie - Mitch Albom

Category: Books

Genre: Based on a True Story

Author: Mitch Albom

Overview and Review of Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom.

Morrie was a college professor, who gave his all whenever he teaches. This book tells the true story of Morrie Schwartz and his relationship with his student, Mitch Albom. Both the film and the book chronicle the lessons about life that Mitch learns from his professor, who is dying from ALS. Mitch and Morrie calls each other "Tuesday People".

This book is very inspiring and actually helped a lot of people appreciate Life and Death. Here, it talks mostly about the things we forget about or take for granted when we are still alive. You would cherish this book because of the wisdom and depth it brings. It talks about the things that matters most and would remind you to look and appreciate them before it's too late. It talks about Death, Family, Emotions, Wealth, Fame, Fear of Aging, Marriage, Culture, Community, Giving, Forgiveness and saying Goodbye in the physical level.

Heartwarming. A must read.

The Valkyries - Paulo Coelho

Category: Books

Genre: Spirituality


Author: Paolo Coelho

Overview and Review of The Valkyries authored by Paolo Coelho.
This is an autobiographical book, but told using the third person.

Why do we destroy the things we love? It was the question Paolo asked during this journey.
This journey involved looking for angels and in order to see them Paolo with his wife Christina must seek out the advice of The Valkyries who roamed the area. They traveled to the Mojave Desert for the 40 day Quest. An authentic story of being in the darkness, seeking out the light, and having a mentor.

This is a nice book about finding your angel and a wonderful spiritual journey at that. An enlightening book and a delightful read. You would cherish all the words that you would read next. There are a lot of "symbolical" events in the book as well. This book is a lot of things really. Its about love, light, angels, life, death, darkness, fear, rituals, and very spiritual it is. It can certainly touch your heart, mind and soul. A modern day magical, enchanting adventure..



April 30, 2008

Disclosure - Michael Crichton

Category: Books

Genre: Corporate

Author: Michael Crichton

Overview and Review of Disclosure by Michael Crichton.

*Already a Movie

A book that involves Title VII, Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Title VII is a shattering case that would ruin a person's career and family.

This story involves Tom Sanders an up-and-coming executive at a a computer firm called DigiCom. Tom Sanders is a man whose corporate future is certain after working for about a decade in the company. Everybody in the company thought Tom Sanders would lead the AGP Division and would be deemed as Vice-President of the company, but they were wrong. A woman, named Meredith Johnson, Tom Sander's ex-lover back in Cupertino would be everybody's new boss.

After a closed-door meeting with Tom's new boss, Meredith - Sanders finds himself caught in a nightmare where he was branded as a villain.

Sanders tries to defend himself from the accusation, while doing so he unravels an electronic trail into the company's secrets.

At the afterword it says that this novel was based on a true story. But, it is also important to emphasize the fact that the story in it's present form is fiction. Because, all the information and necessary facts can be a risk to individuals and corporations involved, it was but necessary to disguise the real event with utmost care. All the principals in this case agreed to be interviewed with the understanding that their identification would not be revealed.

A clever, swell corporate-slash-techie-slash-law thriller. A modern technology with intrigue. Just like Robert Ludlum, Crichton sure knows how to keep the story moving, saving the best for last. This book shows that sexual harassment is not reserved for men on high positions but for women who can be at the top as well. I think, the book stresses the point that Harassment involves Power and thus it doesn't matter whether you are male or female. Anyone is capable.
Nice intriguing, informative and eye-opening book. I also love the techie jargon in this book. I still like his "Jurassic Park" novel better. Hehe.

Recommend: For people who loves "law and order" stories, "techie people", or for people who is into "corporate intrigue".

Sleepers - Lorenzo Carcaterra

Category: Book

Genre: Non-Fiction

Author: Lorenzo Carcaterra

Overview and Review of Sleepers by Lorenzo Carcaterra a true story.

*It has a movie already.

The true West Side Story.

Sleeper

1. Out of town hit man who spends the night after a local contract is completed.
2. A juvenile sentenced to serve any period loonger than nine months in a state managed facility.

Hell's Kitchen is a place where everyone knows everything about everybody and everybody could be counted on. This is the West Side streets of Manhattan, where secrets lived and died on it. An area pretty much populated by a blend of Irish, Puerto Rican, Italian, and Easter European laborers.

John (The Count), Tommy (Butter), Michael (Spots), and Shakes (Lorenzo). Four boys inseparable, content and happy to live within the closed world of Hell's Kitchen in Manhattan. Having friends were important as neighborhood loyalty in Hell's Kitchen. They gave them an identity and a group one could trust that extended the bonds of family.

These four friends finds solace with each other's company since they can't find it in their own homes where their mothers are beaten and some of their fathers are out romancing other women. These four boys shared a common interest, like reading books, watching movies, listening to music, collecting classic illustrated comics and baseball cards, listening to Sam Cooke, Bobby Darin, Franki Valli and the Four Seasons on portable radios and playing pranks.

One prank would change their lives forever. One prank that would cost a man's dream to fade and a man to never walk again. One prank that could send them to a facility with multiple horrors to endure and one they would never forget. A mistake that would give them a heavy consequence.

It's a great "true-to-life" book. One that you could never put down and one that would make you read and read until the end. A story one could not forget and a horror you couldn't quite fathom if you live seeing the world in rose-colored glasses. One autobiography that never fails to put you in the edge, to bring tears in your eyes and make you laugh every once in awhile. It's amazing how he builds up the story up until the end. You would actually envy the way he depicted their childhood friendships. The bond they had when they were still young. I like the way he describes things. Everything seemed so important and so you want to read every line.

Predator - Jack Olsen

Category: Books

Genre: Non-Fiction, Based on a True Story

BAuthor: Jack Olsen

Overview and Review of Predator a book written by Jack Olsen.

This is a true story about a man named "Steve Titus" (a pseudonym to protect the identity) who was falsely accused of raping a woman named Celia Dalton. For eight (8) long months he suffered under a trial he did not commit. Along with it his career and sense of well-being ended.

The work was done by a serial rapist / psychopath who raped about 50-55 all in all named Mac Smith (a pseudonym as well).

There sure are some loopholes in every government system and this book shows how it could be made possible. I'm sure there are many others who were convicted of a crime they did not commit and that is just so sad.

The end was more like a report of events of what happened after uncovering the real story with the help of a journalist. It was reported and well accounted in the book. The family that Mac Smith grew up with.