by witsandnuts on August 17, 2008
(Photo source ) I catched Wall-E over the weekend when I was so tired and so sleepy. I expected that I’d doze off, but no. I finished the film with much interest and surprise. If you are the type who likes too much conversations in a film, this may not be the one for you. This one is a showcase of movements, colorful animation and 1960s music in between: resulting to a great film. The originality of the story is definitely a saving grace.
The first 30 minutes of the film shows Wall-E with his cockroach bestfriend. The surviving robotical unit was tasked to sort out the Earth’s junks. Imagine a robot deciding for himself what is trash among the trashes and filing it up into cubes. There was a diamond ring he disposed over the ring’s box, which made my mind screamed, “Wall-E, save the ring!”. Heehee. Anyway, what’s interesting was that he got the wits to save a budding plant, with so tiny leaves, and replanted it in a junk boots. How do you program a robot to know what’s useful and not? Another realization is that cockroach will always be there, speaking of survival of the fittest.
[keep reading…]
Popularity: 4%
by witsandnuts on July 26, 2008
Photo source
As the world is talking much about Batman lately, who thinks about James Batman? In this film, Rodolfo Vera Quizon popularly known as Dolphy played James Bond and Bruce Wayne/Batman. Criticisms from known reviewers were made against this Filipino spoof flick, as they review the films which are Batman related: La Verdadera Historia de Barman y Droguin, Superbatman vs Mazinga V, La Mujer Murcielago, Bat Bitch, Splatman (which features a villain called the Pornguin), Buttman and Throbbin, Rat Pfink and Boo-Boo, The Wild World of Batwoman (aka She Was a Hippie Vampire), Bathman dal Pianeta Eros, the short Robin’s Big Date (with Sam Rockwell as Batman) and Scooby-Doo Meets Batman (which is the only entry in this list authorised by DC Comics).
James Batman was shown when I wasn’t born yet. Among the cast of this 1966 flick, I only know Dolphy and Bella Flores. I was hoping that this would be shown in Cinema Global, but probaby they won’t as Kabayan Central is selling this as one of its vintage Tagalog movies.
Despite the criticisms told about this film, nothing beats the fact that Dolphy is an institution in Philippine cinema. On his 80th birthday, he has launched his tell-all book.
More photos here.
If you wish to read the synopsis or see James Batman through Kabayan Central, click here.
Popularity: 5%
by witsandnuts on July 25, 2008
Clockwise: pansit bawang, inside the villa in Airport Road, movie ticket & free voucher, The Dark Knight tumbler
Today is definitely a long day. Friday means a weekend and so I stayed so late last night way and up still at 4am today. I was so engrossed with non-work related stuff, I didn’t note the time. But I had to be up at 9am for the Filipino mass at 12noon. Also, I was invited for lunch by one of my officemates. It was a long planned house warming, she moved to a villa few months back.
How time flies. It has been a week since my birthday celebration. In today’s lunch, there was a number of people who were also there at the house last week. I got to meet other Filipinos who are practically in the same field. Amongst the food served, the pansit bawang caught me. It looks like pancit malabon because of the eggs, but as the name suggests its main ingredient other than the bihon (thin noodle) is bawang (garlic). It definitely left an after taste, it suits me because I (now) like spices. The surprising part is that this pansit is actually a specialty in Laguna, according to the cook. I grew up there, and just in case not, how come I missed that one.
***
As I was taking a few snapshots in and around the villa, the roof and tree and its proximity to each other mesmerized me. This reminds me much of Philippines. I had to sit lowly to capture it. I didn’t know the cacti’s tiny spines got to my denim. Before I even wanted to take a shot of that succulent plant, the tiny spines got in to my left fingers. I am thinking which did hurt me more, this cacti’s spines or the roses’ thorns ages ago? Anyway, all gone now. Lessons: a) don’t just sit anywhere, there must be another angle of the photo subject; b) bring a tweezer to make taking out of spines and things like that easier.
***
Goodbye to my plan of catching Mamma Mia at the big screen. It’s no longer airing in Abu Dhabi. Instead we catched The Dark Knight. I’m not such a fan. But there’s a box office queue, why not join the crowd, ey? I wonder why I coded one my crushes in highschool as Batman when I’m actually not engrossed with this superhero. I remember responding in one of the customized slumbooks, that he’s my most favorite action hero. What a fool. Haha. Maybe I associated my response with the crush code. Any idea if slumbooks are still uso (in)?
Batman tumbler
I must admit the movie is worth the penny. Much have been written about it. We even bought that Batman tumbler. This reminds me of KFC promos back home. I like Joker’s (Heath Ledger) characterization. One of his great films before he passed away. The things that did hit my interest: a) the robbery scene: the villains had to kill each other rather than killing all the bank’s personnel (remember RCBC rob out?), and well the strategy used to open the main cash vault + sneakers worn at hands; b) and a few conversations: Joker telling Batman, “You complete me” and “I get the feeling that you and I are destined to this forever”. Hillarious.
Batman at my palm. Joker must be envious.
As an aside, the cinema promos are just so cool. Aside from HSBC UAE’s buy 1 take 1 promo, for each ticket bought from Cinema Star entitles you to a free voucher worth AED 30 (PhP360, US$8) which is valid until February 2009 to Wild Wadi.
Have a great weekend!
Popularity: 3%
by witsandnuts on June 28, 2008
I thought I would be watching a film in UAE for the first time when When Love Begins and Caregiver were shown, but no. Bad reviews. I had hoped for Sex and the City to come, but no. Close to impossible to be aired here probably for being inconsistent with the religious, cultural, political and moral values of UAE. So finally, I catched Kung Fu Panda and experienced being inside one of the cinemas in Abu Dhabi. First hand observations:
- You can’t get in once the film started rolling. We’ve got the tickets before 1pm and next screening was at 2pm (as printed on our ticket). In the Philippines, you’ll be allowed to get inside even at the middle of the showing.
- Same ticket fare whether you’d be seating in the balcony or orchestra. Tip: Be punctual.
- The usual cheese and salty popcorns flavors, nachos and sodas as cinema ‘buddies’. No hotdogs though. But I had chocolates and Filipino chicharons as ‘extra baggage’, which I didn’t get to eat inside because the cheese flavored popcorn and sodas we got were enough.
- Credit cards are accepted. Is it also implemented in the Philippines by now?
- And to top it all, be careful with cinema promos. Glad that we didn’t pay out cash yet, we noticed HSBC’s promo of buy 1 take 1 cinema ticket. How cool is that?!
Well, I am not from HSBC. Whatever marketing strategy it is, go grab it. Promo runs until January 2009. So probably, I would be encouraged and looking forward to catching more films in the big screen.
Popularity: 4%
by witsandnuts on June 27, 2008
Photo source.
I mentioned a number of times that I rarely watch films in the cinema. It’s not primarily because of raving reviews but the thought of that sometimes kiddie films are more worthwatching than other genres that I catched Kung Fu Panda today. Momentarily a lot of reviews, which on purpose I didn’t read any so not to spoil my watching, have been made and I just want to share about some of the points that did struck me. Some of these I can relate to because they happened to me or to the people around me at one point:
- Po Panda did not let go of his dream. I had a dream profession but I never had the courage to pursue. But I have long realized that I am destined to be what I am doing right now.
- Grand Master Oogway told Po Panda, when he was discouraged, “Yesterday is history, future is a mystery, and today is a GIFT that’s why it’s called the PRESENT”.
- A warrior never quits. Despite the obvious dislike of Master Shifu and the Furious Five (well-trained students of the master), Po Panda remained determined to learn Kung Fu.
- Positivity, good sense of humor, striking the tummy could do wonders. Po Panda kept his optimism in 90% of the film, blended with his cheerfulness and innocence and his yummy noodles (with care, no secret ingredient!) paved the way to the hearts of the other Kung Fu students.
- Humility prevails. It’s very hard to keep your feet on the ground.
- There’s no big secret to succeed. You just have to accept yourself and keep on believing that you can do it.
- Food is a very good motivation. Since Po Panda loves to eat, Master Shifu used food to motivate him to learn Kung Fu effectively. Whew, I remember those times when I ‘deprived’ myself of my favorite eats when I did not reach my short-term goals (e.g. not beating the deadline, etc.) or I do set an imaginary condition that I need to finish a report before I can take my lunch (which resulted to a 3pm lunch) or dinner (almost midnight snack, you guessed so) . Well, you may find it bizarre and surprising, but I do this because this works for me. Of course, without compromising (hopefully) any health issues. Find out what motivates you.
- As reiterated by the Grand Master and Master Shifu to Po Panda, “There are no accidents.” Everything happens for a reason, right?
Movies like Kung Fu Panda is definitely a film packed with much positivity. Good news, with the strong box office performance of the film, production of the first sequel is in-progress.
Popularity: 2%
Man, the Emirates has become one heck of a place to live nowadays ( if...
Contemporary dollhouse
Cityscape
Plainly glorious church
Chashu and Gunkan
The walking trees
