by witsandnuts on July 24, 2010
To those who wonder, why the movie was titled like that:
The clouds I can handle. But I can’t fight with an eclipse.
[Jacob Black, Eclipse, Chapter 26, p.600]
However, that was not mentioned in the adaptation.
What day is it? I can’t believe that until now I haven’t done a review for Eclipse. Had it been shown in 2008, I probably had drafted my review already with fill in the blanks type (until I validate the other details). You know how it feels when you used to be head over heels over someone/something OR that famous realization about first love? That it actually dies, but is never forgotten. That is the current state of my Twilight Saga addiction. For old times’ sake, I willingly write this non-traditional review and random babbling into one:
(a) Would you believe that a larger percentage of the patronizers on the day that I watched were locals (Emiratis)? Their younger generation really are becoming more open minded.
(b) Robert Pattinson as Edward Cullen is unfortunately depreciating. I prefer to remember Edward Cullen just as he is in the book and Robert Pattinson as he was in the first movie and as Cedric Diggory in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. I think most of you have heard of the joke, “Voldemort had killed Cedric Diggory and was turned into a vampire… he is now Edward Cullen!”
(c) On the other hand, Taylor Lautner as Jacob Black has became more appealing. In the book, I am with Team Edward. But in the movies, I am on the other side. Semi-Team Jasper even, in Eclipse. Members of Team Jasper increased because a portion of his admirable vampire career was highlighted.
(d) Why is Kristen Stewart’s (Isabella Swan) acting not improving? Haaay.
(e) Xavier Samuel as Riley Biers (new character) was very good. Too bad his role died on this movie, too. His acting reminded me of Vampire Diaries (Season 2 will start in September. Better than Twilight Saga.)
(f) The soundtrack is remarkable.
(g) Jessica’s valedictory address was good. But in the books, it sounded like Angela and Eric are the brainier batchmates.
(h) My most favorite scene in the book, i.e. the tent scene, which I looked forward to in the adaption, was depicted excellently. That was when they spent the night on the mountains. On that stormy hour, the sickly chilling Bella cannot be comforted by Edward since the vampires as popularized from this point are as cold as ice. Jacob being hot-blooded, of wolf descent, saved the damsel in distress. There goes the one million dollar statement: “Let’s face it, I’m hotter than you!” The man-to-man (or ice versus fire) talk happened thereafter meaningfully. How lucky is Bella eh? But I do not envy her. Heehee.
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Popularity: 18%
by witsandnuts on July 4, 2010
A flu attacked me the night before the weekend which made me bedridden the following day. Avoiding anything which is very physical and with a pale appetite, I at least wanted to feed my eyes. As a result, I marathoned three movies. These are amongst those, I am convinced, I can watch over and again:
When Harry Met Sally (1989) – I was totally glued with the conversations between Harry (Billy Crystal) and Sally (Meg Ryan). Although I find Harry “sort of ugly” for Sally, his being able to talk like a non-stop machine with sense is hilarious and endearing. Despite that the boundaries of friendship are obviously defined in many cases, it is interesting how the story can make you pretend that the predictable is unpredictable. One of the best romantic comedies I have ever seen. As it was nearing the finale, I was wishing it would never end. It is also good to see Carrie Fisher (Princess Leia in Star Wars Trilogy) here.
Once (2006) – The movie was set in Dublin, Ireland and featured its local musicians. The main guy (Glen Hansard) writes and sings so well. I liked the realistic appeal of the story, when you can do everything and nothing (alike at the same time), and the ending was depicted in its full practicality. The songs featured are remarkable and I think that Falling Slowly and Fallen from the Sky are the best among the plenty of good songs from the soundtrack. Although produced under a low budget, this movie has a distinct character that you will not forget – one of which is finding the balance between romantic and musical connections.
Titanic (1997) – While there was a number of movies produced based on the sinking of RMS Titanic, this stands as the most popular to date. I was still in college when I first watched it and I honestly did not appreciate it that time. I thought it was too mushy and it clouded its other brilliant aspects. Until I saw it for the second time during the weekend, I realized that it was well-made and story was daunting and classic. It took me more than a decade to see it from a different angle (*facepalm*). And guess what? James Cameron (also the director of Avatar) used the “I See You” line in this movie, for the first time. That explains why it sounded familiar during the Avatar screening.
Popularity: 21%
by witsandnuts on June 28, 2010
(We were flipping the pages of this free teaser magazine while waiting for the 4:30 PM screening of The Karate Kid last Saturday.)
I think that it is odd that I got surprised when I learned that the third installment of the Twilight Saga, Eclipse, is going to be shown in the cinemas soon. I mean, I used to be very informed of anything Twilight related. While it is debuting on the 30th of June in most of the countries, we got the 8th of July playdate here. It is odder that I did not take it as a big deal like when I did when the first installment was shown here few days late. Really, the delay strained my patience and even pained my sleep. I even made pre-screening preparations like re-reading the book, having the ticket in advance, at a minimum. It is interesting though that there is going to be an advanced screening (which is rarely happening in the UAE) of Eclipse on 1st of July. The oddest thing was that I did not even consider that. Wow, I think I have matured a lot (*facepalm*).
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Popularity: 20%
by witsandnuts on June 22, 2010
I wanted to watch The Karate Kid since I saw the trailer pre-airing of Ironman 2. Unfortunately, we got a late playdate in the UAE and it debuted in the cinemas just this week. The trailer provided a glimpse to the trainings which the kid (Jaden Smith) had: on patience, endurance, courage, and perseverance. Did you know that these trainings are also available through the iPad? Amongst these, my favorite is the test or training for patience. Not that I am impatient, it is just that I never win in the other “trainings”, too soon the game is always over. I think that it is indicative of my level of patience (winks).
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Popularity: 17%
by witsandnuts on June 16, 2010
I have been meaning to write about this since last year, following its unsuccessful attempt to be filmed in the UAE. However, I trashed the thought since I was not a follower of the series, Sex and The City (SATC). But the recurring misconceptions coming my way, i.e. “the-why-did-you-not-tell me-that-parts-of-Sex and the City 2-were-filmed in-Abu Dhabi”, “I-want-to-go-there-what-else-to-see-and-to-do-aside-from those-shown-in-the-movie”, led me to drafting this. That is surprising, considering that it has been much publicized that certain scenes in SATC 2 were actually filmed in Morocco and not in Abu Dhabi.
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Popularity: 22%
i can still be updated about your goings-on 
On 24th of August, this is how the UAE reporters put it.
We CAN always rebuild
Pasalubong from Malaysia
Bukit Bintang
Mini Malaysia
