Boses - 2008

Category: Movie

Genre: Drama / Indie

Director: Ellen Ongkenko- Marfil

Writer: Rody Vera, Froilan Medina

 Cast: Coke Bolipata, Julian Duque, Ricky Davao, Meryll Soriano, Cherry Pie Picache and more


I saw a trailer of this indie film over TV some 2 weeks ago, and it got me curious. I never wouldve imagined that I would be meeting the Director and 2 actors of the said movie right here in Davao City.

I got an invitation for a film showing over at Cinematheque, and since two offices invited me, Tuburan Institute and Happy Team(Councilor Avila of Davao), I grabbed the chance. But, I didn't realize the title was "Boses". All I saw at the invite was: "The Heart Speaks", cocktails and live violin by The Cast.

And I was pleasantly surprised to realize it was a film showing of Boses.

This film is about a child who is being abused by his Dad...

I find this movie simple yet very moving and it sure is worthy of your time. It has multi-dimensional aspects of the film from child abuse, to child welfare, how to run a shelter, isolation rooms, bullying, suicide, dreams, family, father & son, depression, music, therapy and so on and so on. There are so many points of discussion. It's educational. More films like these should be made. :)

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets - 2002

Category: Movies

Genre: Fantasy / Adventure / Family

Director: Chris Columbus,

Writer: J.K. Rowling

Producer: 1492 Pictures, Heyday Films and more

Cast: Daniel radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Toby Jones, James Phelps, Oliver Phelps, Julie Waters, Bonnie Wright, Mark Williams, Chris Rankin and more...

Tagline:  Hogwarts is back in session.



A year after the Sorcerer's Stone was released, Chamber of Secrets was due next.

Harry Potter is forced to spend his summer holidays with the Dursleys. But, then Harry gets a real shock when he gets a visit from a house-elf named Dobby, who warned him not to go back to Hogwarts because there would be terrible things about to happen specially to him. Harry chooses to ignore Dobby's warning and continues to go to Hogwarts as scheduled. But, then the school began to be plagued by a serious of mysterious attacks and a strange voice trying to haunt him.

I once again watched this for the second time with Boo on my birthday!! There are a couple of scare moments in this installment and it was indeed well-made. This is one of the darker installments of the series. This will keep you on the edge. Once again, the musical score of John Williams' matches the whole wizard world feel albeit this one darker. Important, unforgettable scenes from the book were squeezed in this two and half hour film. Great special effects.

Aleph - Paulo Coelho

Category: Book

Genre: Literature / Drama


Author: Paulo Coelho



This book describes the journey Paulo Coelho took from March to July 2006 via the Trans-Siberian Railway to meet his readers across Russia. Coelho had mentioned that this has been one of his most personal novels to date. It starts with Coelho asking his master "J" about his struggles and the spiritual crisis he is going through and he feels stuck in his spiritual growth.This is also similar to the beginning of his previous work: The Valkyries.

I finished reading this while listening to Tomatis (an audio therapy I am taking).

It's an interesting read this time about his journey to the past. And its not just about the past which happens in the current life but of something regarding a previous lifetime, that still haunts him. It's about the mystical term called the "Aleph", a Jewish Kaballah mystical term. It mixes different spiritual traditions as always with a Coelho.

This book also makes me want to go on an outward journey on my own to make my inward journey unfold! The question... where to? :P

Ratatouille - 2007

Category: Movie / Animation

Genre: Animation / Comedy

Director: Brad Bird, Jan Pinkava

Writer: Brad Bird, Jim Capobianco

Producer: Pixar Animation Studios, Walt Disney Pictures

Tagline: He's dying to become a chef.

Cast: Brad Garrett, Lou Romano, Patton Oswalt, Ian Holm, Brian Dennehy, Peter Sohn,

SUMMARY/OVERVIEW:

Remy is a young rat who resides in a French countryside who dreams of becoming a great French chef. During one of his adventures, fate brought him to one f the sewers of Paris and finds himself beneath the restaurant of his cooking idol, Auguste Gusteau. It's a personal adventure of a dream to be in a rat-hating world the fine French restaurant.

REVIEW:

Up for cooking? Wooohoo. Remy the rat gives you an idea how to be in the moment with food, really tasting it, savoring each of the flavor. It's a vivid imagery of a computer generated animation which gives you this realistic view. Voice acting is right for every moment. I love the inspirational storyline and its uniqueness. Its a classic!

great for family and friends.... if you want something fun to inspire you.... :)

QUOTES I LIKE

Remy: No. Dad I don't believe it. You're telling me that the future is - can only be more of *this*?
Django: This is the way things are. You can't change nature.
Remy: Change is nature, Dad. The part that we can influence. And it starts when we decide.
Django: [Remy turns to leave] Where are you going?
Remy: With luck, forward.

Gusteau: Ah, but that is no match for wishful thinking. If you focus on what you left behind. You will never be able to see what lies ahead. Now go up and look around.

Gusteau: [on TV] You must be imaginative, strong-hearted. You must try things that may not work, and you must not let anyone define your limits because of where you come from. Your only limit is your soul. What I say is true - anyone can cook... but only the fearless can be great.

Inception - 2010

Category: Movie

Genre: Action, Mystery & Sci-Fi

Director: Christopher Nolan

Writer: Christopher Nolan

Producer: Warner Bros. Pictures, Legendary Pictures, Syncopy

Tagline: The Dream is Real.

Cast: Leonardo di Caprio, Joseph-Gordon Levitt, Ellen Page, Tom Hardy, Ken Watanabe, Dileep Rao, Cillian Murphy and more.


The movie is about Dom Cobb (Leonardo di Caprio) who is a world class skilled thief a.k.a an extractor when it comes to stealing valuable secrets from someone's subconscious in dream state. The rare ability that Cobb has opened up a new world of corporate espionage but it also made him a fugitive. Now, someone is offering him one last job where he can return to his country and get his life back if he can do something other than stealing an idea from someone's mind but plant one - called Inception. He then looks up for the perfect team for the task.

This is one of the best of the Hollywood movies I've ever seen. It's something different from the usual Sci-Fi - robot-filled scenario... but they delved into the subconscious. I watched it twice. It's a highly original film that I consider it's one of the best movies in 2010. (Although I am aware about the technicalities when it comes to "dreams" because they claimed he was just inconsistent with some theories.) but, wth? i was entertained.

Leonardo di Caprio did great... as usual... but this time... it is not only him who would get your attention but he shared the limelight with the rest of the team. I love all of the actors. They were really perfect for their roles. I love the twist of the movie... gives you the adrenaline edge even if it's all about "dreams". Great great great. I could watch it over and over again. A couple of years and this would be a classic - must see film!!!

this was my favorite scene:

Ariadne: What's happening?
Arthur: Your subconscious is looking for the dreamer; me. Quick, give me a kiss.
Ariadne: [She kisses him and then looks around]
Ariadne: They're still looking at us.
Arthur: Yeah, it was worth a shot.

Haha.


Saito: Don't you want to take a leap of faith? Or become an old man, filled with regret, waiting to die alone!

Cobb: You create the world of the dream, you bring the subject into that dream, and they fill it with their subconscious.
Ariadne: How could I ever acquire enough detail to make them think that its reality?
Cobb: Well dreams, they feel real while we're in them, right? It's only when we wake up that we realize how things are actually strange. Let me ask you a question, you, you never really remember the beginning of a dream do you? You always wind up right in the middle of what's going on.
Ariadne: I guess, yeah.
Cobb: So how did we end up here?
Ariadne: Well we just came from the a...
Cobb: Think about it Ariadne, how did you get here? Where are you right now?
Ariadne: We're dreaming?
Cobb: You're actually in the middle of the workshop right now, sleeping. This is your first lesson in shared dreaming. Stay calm.

Cobb: What do you want?
Saito: Inception. Is it possible?
Arthur: Of course not.
Saito: If you can steal an idea, why can't you plant one there instead?
Arthur: Okay, this is me, planting an idea in your mind. I say: don't think about elephants. What are you thinking about?
Saito: Elephants?
Arthur: Right, but it's not your idea. The dreamer can always remember the genesis of the idea. True inspiration is impossible to fake.
Cobb: No, it's not.

Arthur: So, a totem. It's a small object, potentially heavy, something you can have on you all the time...
Ariadne: What, like a coin?
Arthur: No, it has to be more unique than that, like - this is a loaded die.
[Ariadne reaches out to take the die]
Arthur: Nah, I can't let you touch it, that would defeat the purpose. See only I know the balance and weight of this particular loaded die. That way when you look at your totem, you know beyond a doubt you're not in someone else's dream.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone - 2001

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone.

Category: Movies

Genre: Fantasy / Adventure

Director: Chris Columbus

Writer: Steve Kloves and J.K. Rowling.

Producer:

Tagline: Journey beyond your imagination

Cast: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Richard Harris, Maggie Smith, Robbie Coltrane, Saunders Triplets, Fiona Shaw, Harry Melling, Richard Griffiths, Derek Deadman, Ian Hart, Warwick Davis, John Hurt, Richard Bremmer and more.


This movie is the first film in the Harry Potter series based on the novels by J.K. Rowling. It is the story of an 11 year old boy named Harry Potter who is living with his aunt and uncle and is like a sort of slave for them. They later learned that Harry Potter is a wizard and was invited to attend the Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry. Harry was snatched from them by Hagrid, who is the grounds keeper for Hogwarts and was thrown into a world very foreign to ordinary people. When he arrived, he realizes he was famous for an incident that happened to him during his birth. Harry makes friends easily with Ron and Hermione but later realizes that within the light of the wizardry world there lies darkness and danger.

I know this is my second time to watch the said movie. I just can't get over the recent HP movie released. (and I can't wait for the last oneeee!!!) Meanwhile, I'm reviewing all the HP movies. Even though this was done years back, but it still remains as one must-see film. A true delight for all ages.. and of course I love the opening magical score... which keeps playing on my mind... and which I used to have as a ringback 2 years ago. Haha. :)

I love the cinematography, the setting, just about everything. Everything is just oh so magical I actually want to enroll at Hogwarts now! Haha. Love it. :)

Ron always makes me laugh with his "i'm-scared-lines", specially with Hermione.

Characters: Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger, Hagrid, Albus Dumbledore, Minerva Mcgonnagal, Severus Snape

Mystical Creatures: Hedwig, Goblins in the bank, Fluffy, the Devil's Snare, Dragons, Unicorn

Magical Stuffs: Sorcerer's Stone (makes you immortal), Invisible Cloak, Mirror of Erised: which shows you what you want.

Spells Used: Alohamora (used to open doors), Wingardium Leviosa (make something levitate e.g. feather), Petrificus Totalus (used to petrify), Lumos Solem (bring sunlight),

Houses: Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, Slytherin

Quotes I Like:

Albus Dumbledore: It does not do well to live on dreams Harry, and forget to live.

Hermione: You'll be okay, Harry. You're a great wizard. You really are.
Harry: Not as good as you.
Hermione: Me? Books and cleverness. There are more important things: friendship and bravery. And Harry, just be careful.

Professor Severus Snape: There will be no foolish wand-waving or silly incantations in this class. As such, I don't expect many of you to appreciate the subtle science and exact art that is potion-making. However, for those select few...
[stares at Draco Malfoy]
Professor Severus Snape: Who possess, the predisposition... I can teach you how to bewitch the mind and ensnare the senses. I can tell you how to bottle fame, brew glory, and even put a stopper in death.
[notices Harry scribbling on his paper]
Professor Severus Snape: Then again, maybe some of you have come to Hogwarts in possession of abilities so formidable that you feel confident enough to not pay attention!
[steps over to Harry]
Professor Severus Snape: Mister Potter. Our new celebrity.


Dumbledore: It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to your enemies, but a great deal more to stand up to your friends.

Dumbledore: Only a person who wanted to find the Stone - find it, but not use it - would be able to get it. That is one of my more brilliant ideas. And between you and me, that is saying something.

Dumbledore: Harry, do you know why Professor Quirrell couldn't bear to have you touch him?
[Harry shakes his head]
Dumbledore: It was because of your mother. She sacrificed herself for you, and that kind of act leaves a mark.
[Harry reaches up to touch his scar]
Dumbledore: No, no. This kind of mark cannot be seen. It lives in your very skin.
Harry: What is it?
Dumbledore: Love, Harry. Love.


Funny:


Hermione: Stop moving, both of you. This is devil's snare! You have to relax. If you don't, it'll only kill you faster!
Ron: Kill us faster? Oh, now I can relax!

Ron: [Harry and Ron arrive late to Transfiguration, relieved that Professor McGonagall isn't there yet] Whew, made it. Can you imagine the look on old McGonagall's face if we were late?
[the cat sitting at the head of the class suddenly transforms into her]
Ron: That was bloody brilliant!
Professor McGonagall: Well, thank you for that assessment, Mr Weasley. Perhaps it would be more useful if I were to transfigure Mr Potter and yourself into a pocket watch? That way, one of you might be on time.
Harry: We got lost.
Professor McGonagall: Then perhaps a map? I trust you don't need one to find your seats.

Ron: What do they think they're doing, keeping a thing like that locked up in a school?
Hermione: You don't use your eyes, do you? Didn't you see what it was standing on?
Ron: I wasn't looking at its feet! I was a bit preoccupied with its heads... or maybe you didn't notice? There were three!

Ron: Sunshine, daisies, butter mellow, turn this stupid, fat rat yellow!

Princess and The Frog - 2009

Category: Animation

Genre: Cartoon / Fantasy / Family

Director / Writers: Ron Clements and John Musker



Cast: Anika Noni Rose, Bruno Campos, Keith David, Michael Leon Wooley, Jennifer Cody, Jim Cummings, Peter Bartlett, Jenifer Lewis, Oprah Winfrey, Terrence Howard, John Goodman

Overview and Review of Princess and The Frog written and directed by Ron Clements and John Musker

Disney adapts the classic Frog Prince. A brilliant animation that can touch a lot of kids out there - and even the adults too. :) I like the jazz music they play and everything about it. It's about wishing on stars and working for one's dreams. :)

Comical and sweet. Wonderful twist of the classic fairy tile The Frog Prince.

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.

Make It Happen (2008)

Category: Movies

Genre: Dance / Drama

Director: Darren Grant

Casts: Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Tessa Thompson, Riley Smith, John Reardon, Julissa Bermudez, Ashley Roberts, Karen Leblanc and more.


Overview and Review of the movie Make It Happen directed by Darren Grant.

Lauryn is this young woman from a small town in Indiana who moves to Chicago and left his brother to manage their auto shop with dreams of entering the Chicago School of Music and Dance. But after rejection and a series of unfortunate events, Lauryn then finds herself working in a burlesque club. The club proves to be a place of conflict and self-discovery, helping Lauryn to realize that even though plans may change, dreams never do.

It's a nice inspiring movie about dancing and pursuing one's dream.

I like this line in the movie: "Everybody who walks away from a dream has a reason and it's brave to give it another shot."