Tickets in Abundance

I saw a special screening of War of the Worlds today with Biboy. Four hours before the showing, dad told me that he has extra two tickets for the film. I tried asking friends to join us but it was futile. Elma had to go home immediately because her children are with her mother. Than-than was on his way to the province to see his ailing grandmother. Jen needed to rest more because she just recovered from a flu. I tried asking other people but couldn't find any. In the end, kami lang ni Biboy ang nanood. Then, my sister also had two unused tickets because she didn't see the movie. She had to review for her exams tomorrow. If only I was informed earlier about those tickets, I could've find people to use them. What a waste of money! Anyway, the screening is of a charitable cause.

3-Iron

Before you read further, I'd like to warn you about the spoilers that are heading your way. I'm afraid that it'd be hard to review this film without giving details that would somehow reveal what it is all about. If you're okay with it, go ahead and read this one. If not, then skip this now. Watch the movie and come back to read this. Be advise, though, that it'd be better to see the film first before reading this. If you just want to know if you should watch this or not, I'd say that YOU SHOULD!

Tae-suk is a young man who rides a motorcycle. Every morning, he puts in flyers of restaurant to different houses. In the late afternoon, he would come back and check which door still has the flyer untouched. Then, he breaks in and gets inside the house to spend the night. In exchange for his stay, he does chores for the family who lives there: laundry, cleaning, or repair. He doesn't take anything with him except for food or tea that he consumed during his stay. With his digital camera, he takes picture of him inside the house as a souvenir (of some sort).

One night, he got inside a businessman's house not knowing that his wife was there. He does his usual routine while the wife, Sun-hwa watches him. Realizing that he isn't a thief, Sun-hwa lets him know her presence inside the house. Tae-suk took off but came back to the badly-bruised and beaten wife. Her husband arrived and tried to hurt her once more. Tae-suk saved her from her husband by hitting him with the golf balls. As he left the house, Sun-hwa joined him.

Smitten by him, Sun-hwa led the life that Tae-suk was living. However, they were soon discovered by a family. They were sent to the police. Sun-hwa was taken back by her husband while Tae-suk remained in prison. In prison, Tae-suk managed to channel his anger and pain to something more powerful. Because of that, he was able to return to Sun-hwa without her husband knowing his presence. Thus, enjoying their lives together.

3-Iron is a very powerful movie that really deserves a recommendation! Not only because of how it was done but because of the mixed reactions that it has been getting from its audience. It is the kind of movie where people inject their own interpretation according to how the film affected them.

It is amazing how the two leads remained silent all throughout the film (except for some words uttered by Sun-hwa in the end). Ironically, they had effectively conveyed the emotions of their characters with the slightest movements and less facial expressions.

The film boasts of many symbolisms and metaphors. Amongst them is how Sun-hwa and Tae-suk found solace in each other. They need no words to express whatever feelings that are inside them. Till the end, they remained shadows in other people's lives by not participating actively as the world turns.

Now, whether Tae-suk achieved a higher metaphysical being or became part of the other dimension remains unanswered. The important question is whether you agree with how they live their lives or not. 'Cause I surely don't. For someone who is educated, skilled, and talented as him, Tae-suk is definitely a waste of life!

Crying, I Feel Like

I saw Star Wars Episode III today with Biboy, Imee, and Charm. It was Biboy who paid for the tickets and I bought the popcorn and drink. I only have PhP300 on my pocket and I was reserving the hundred in case of emergency. So technically, I only have PhP200 to spare which I embarrassingly asked from dad. I am really broke, to say the least. We could not make deliveries even though we have lots of orders since the writer hasn't been replaced yet. I have no more spare money from the bank. If ever I'd withdraw it, my account will be closed. I don't want that to happen, of course.

After the movie, I was so hungry! Been wanting to eat something special even though I'd use my credit card. But as I see the price of food in the restaurant, the more I feel hungry and worst at the same time. Imagine, a slice of cake would cost me more than a hundred bucks! It was impractical to spend such amount knowing I do not know where to get money in the next couple of weeks.

What we did, though, was go to Jollibee and use the hundred pesos for our meal. I felt so sad and pathetic. Imagine, pinagkasya namin ni Biboy ung isang daan para sa pagkain naming dalawa. Para lang pangtawid-gutom. I know that I should still feel grateful because at least I have a hundred bucks to use but please spare me the hypocrisy this time. We are not used to doing this. Usually, when we go out, we spend more or less PhP200 for our meal. Medyo tipid na 'un kasi kung hindi sa Jollibee, sa food court kami kumakain.

I feel like my family and I are going into a deep financial crisis till we find something that would generate us income monthly. Tita Dolly had told me that mom might get terminated from work this December. So if that happens, what would happen to us? To Ginger's education? Then, next year, Angel will be going to school already. So where would we get the money to spend for it? Who would spend for it?

I feel so down and low. I almost feel like crying. Dagdagan pa nang mga walang katuturang selos ni Biboy. At ng video shop na di matuloy-tuloy. Di ko na alam gagawin ko...

Oh! Happy Day

Hee-jee (Jang Na-ra) is a voice dubber for both radio and t.v. At the same time, she also teaches voice projection for those would-be dubbers. The moment she saw Hyun-joo (Park Jung-chul), who works as a manager for an American firm called Club Med, she fell in love with him. From that day, she told herself that she would make him fall in love with her and marry him, no matter what it takes! And she meant business! Whatever it truly takes!

Oh! Happy Day is an all-out comedy about a relentless woman you'd try anything to win over the love of her life! I have three words for it: fun, fun, fun! It isn't the typical romantic comedy movies where you would swoon over the lead characters or give a heap of sigh with all their romantic doings. In fact, it veers away from that. Perhaps, it is due to the reason that it aims toward adult audience rather than the teens.

Jang Na-ra is a delight to watch on screen after her t.v. performance via Bright Girl (on GMA-7 here) with Jang-Hyeok (of Windstruck, Please Teach Me English). She has such a bubbly character that trancends throughout the screen! What a truly great transition from recording to acting.

What is most unforgettable for me are the scenes that took place after Hee-jee was released from the hospital. They may be slapstick at times but they are hysterically funny! Trust me!

Need I say more?

P.S. Is there really a scarcity of men in Korea that women needs to work on it if they want to get married?

Desire

Rosa and Kyumin are husband and wife living together in a lukewarm relationship. Kyumin had sex with a male prostitute named Leo. Rosa learned about it. When she accidentally met Leo, she had sex with him, too. Soon enough, the three were tangled in web of relationship they didn't know how to get out of.

Desire will be hard to sit through because the characters don't talk much. Unlike Wanee & Junah, it has fewer dialogues and it relies on the emotional roller coaster that the characters are going through. The problem is, the emotions shown on screen were not enough for one to feel it. Unless you were in the same situation, you may get their point. Aside from that, it'd be difficult to know what exactly the characters want. If they're confuse, you'd be more confuse than them in the end!

Desire also relies on its eroticism yet there is nothing erotic about their sexual scenes. All throughout, this film is so cold and distant.

Wanee & Junah

First and foremost, what attracted me to this movie was the DVD cover. It wasn't the one shown here or below. I couldn't find that cover here on the net. Anyway, it was a yellow cover featuring three different poses of Wanee & Junah from the same shoot. It was really eye-catching! Not to mention the fact that both actors are quite a looker! However, what made me decide to buy it was the review I've read. According to the reading, it has an amazing animation for its prologue and epilogue. It was amazing, indeed! A simple animation done in watercolor that merely states how the two lead characters have met. For that alone, watching this film is all worth it!

Anyway, Wanee & Junah are live-in lovers in their mid-20s. Wanee is an animator whose career is starting to boom while Junah is a movie scriptwriter whose struggling to make a name for himself. Their peaceful lives was disturbed when Wanee learned that her step-brother will be visiting Korea from Europe. From that day on, thoughts of the past haunted Wanee at the expense of her relationship with Junah. Junah, in turn, took the back seat to give Wanee the chance to figure out things on her own.

The progression of the events is so smooth and calm. It's like reading a book with less dialogues but full of emotions. The emotions may not have been projected well by the characters but you know they're there. Because we are all but human, one way or another, we have been in their shoes.

Wanee & Junah isn't perfect in terms of its acting depth but its beautiful colors, sights, and sounds surely make up for it!

Note: This film, according to Korean critics, bravely go where the others dared not to. It has filmed two of the tabooed relationships in Korea: live-in and homosexual. Although the film centers more on the former and just merely passes by the latter.

The Write-Up

I'm finally done with the write-up: both the article on Direk Ellen and the MPG review. I had a difficult time writing it at first because of the almost-break-up that I had with Biboy (I wouldn't elaborate it here. Sorry!) but when I started with it, I just kept going. I could say that I'm proud of it!

Will post it here as soon as it becomes published! I still don't know, though, if itwill be publish in its entirety or some parts might be edited. I haven't heard from Angelo yet...

The Interview

We met with Direk Ellen today for the interview at UCC, Tomas Morato. Biboy and I arrived there before 5 PM and we saw her with Ed Instrella (manager of Cherry Pie Picache), Atty. Joji Antonio (of MLR Films), and Adam (I think! Atty. Joji's son).

Ed Instrella stayed for a while during the few minutes of interview. Direk Ellen commended me for a well-researched and organized questions. She told me that there was once a guy who iterviewed her and brought no questions with him. He just let her talk whatever she wants to speak about. How rude, right?

Direk Ellen was pleasant to talk to. She wasn't intimidating at all. We've talked for about two hours and there was never a dull moment with her. I'm so glad that I get to do this project!

Will do the write-up soon!

Shutter

Ghost stories have come and went and only a few managed to create an impact to its audience. Shutter may be another take on avenging ghosts but it was effective in its effort to give chills and scares. It has given a new look to all the Sadako-type characters that seemed to be on most Asian horror flicks! Aside from that, it made Sadako's style looked ancient! No more coming-out of t.v. screens! It's time to get out wherever you are and be with your target person!

"Shutter" gave the saying "Watch Your Back" a totally different meaning! Soon, you will see!

On a Rainy Thursday/MPG Premiere

It's Thursday. It's raining. I woke up feeling kinda low. It's not that I didn't sleep well. In fact, I did. The weather was just perfect for a great sleep. It's not that I'm feeling so bad with the ongoings in my life the way I did a few weeks back 'cause I don't. I have this review and interview to be busy about (and hopefully get compensated with). So I guess, it must be the weather. It is keeping me down. I don't know why 'cause I didn't have any problems naman with rain. I love it pa nga. Even Angel's moods aren't so high. I called her at Biboy's and she was crying. Perhaps she has been missing us. She's not like that especially during the day so it must be the weather. Oh, this feeling is making me want to go out and watch movies! Or buy some Korean DVDs. Only that I don't have much cash on me. Normally, I wouldn't worry about the cash since we'd be receiving orders by next week. However, I'd need the cash by Monday for the interview. I couldn't afford to not have any money by that day. Oh man, I saw the later parts of Dahil Mahal na Mahal Kita and I swear, I almost cried! See, it's the weather!

What's quite stressful, though, was yesterday's events. Biboy got the Pink Festival passes. They were two and they were supposed to be for any movie. Actually, we could even see all the movies in the festival provided we see each movie once. BUT, the passes were valid from June 1-June 7 only! I have asked Angelo about it and he told me to contact Progay Philippines' president, Oskar Atadero. So I did. Oskar suggested that I'd go to the opening of the festival later in the day (with the showing of Mga Pusang Gala) because he could get me in. With the rest of the movies, he couldn't guarantee that I could get in. Anyway, instead of seeing Mr. & Mrs. Smith with dad and Biboy, Biboy and I opted to go to UP Film Insitute and see Formula 17 at 5 PM. By 6:45 PM, we went out and waited for Oskar. Nakapasok na si Biboy and no Oskar in sight! He told he what he was wearing that night but I couldn't find him. Almost 45 minutes had passed and he wasn't even texting despite my two messages for him telling him my location and what I was wearing. Luckily, I heard someone called the name Ellen. I approached her, asked her if she was Direk Ellen and introduced me. Not exactly saying I don't have any tickets, she said that it'd be no problem. She called her husband to accompany me to the guests' line. So I got in! It was only after a few minutes that I got in when Oskar replied saying that he was sitting in front of the admission door! "Sorry," he added. OK, fine. "Hindi ok fine. Opo lang," Angel would've said if she heard me say those words. Hehe. Anyway, I'm glad that Direk Ellen seemed nice. At least I wouldn't feel intimated once I conduct the interview with her.

The night ended with Biboy and I having late dinner in Chowking. I just had wanton noodles and tofu because I couldn't eat well, still. Btw, we were "HHWW" in UP! T'was nice! :P

When You're Young & In Love

Jenny, Juno created waves when it was shown in Korea early this year. Basically because of the sensitive nature of its topic: teen pregnancy. Being a conservative country like ours, of course they would condone such issue much more sexual freedom among teens! Not to mention that the teen characters were portrayed by actual teenagers. In Hollywood, sexual freedom among teens were highly discussed in Larry Clark's Kids and in the much graphic Ken Park (it has a Pinoy-American character). This movie received an R-18 but after much uproar from the makers of the movie and some fans, it was toned down to PG-15.

Jenny, Juno can basically be divided into three parts. First, Jenny and Juno found out that they were pregnant. They both tried to hide it from their parents fearing that they might abort the baby. For a couple of months, they did what they think is best for the baby. In their innocent ways, they were building their future. However, Jenny's sister found out the truth so eventually, they needed to tell their parents the truth. That being said, the focus has now been shifted to the parents - their initial reactions, their feelings toward their children's situations, their dealings with both side of the families, etc. Third part would be how Jenny and Juno resolve their situation.

Jenny, Juno has the makings of a great romantic movie, only that the characters are 15 year olds. All the kilig elements are there that would make you wonder whether, in your teens, would you have done stuffs like that? The lead characters were perfectly portrayed by the actors and were perfectly written. No one would doubt that the love they have for each other is true (at those moments, of course). You would even somehow root for them to be together. Oh, the wonders of young love!

The major problem lies, though, on the parents' side. Their initial reactions were perfectly shown: the anger, the denial, the embarrassment, the bargaining and the eventual acceptance. However, it ended there. The film had treated its subject as if it was a simple Romeo and Juliet type of story. I wouldn't be surprised if young audience would feel like the contravidas in their lives are their parent certainly because they were made to look like that in the movie. Their side of the story wasn't given much depth. They weren't able to talk about the repercussions of teen pregnancy to their children.

What I'm afraid of is the impression that this movie might give to young audience. Raising children by children isn't like raising puppies that only need to be fed and played with. It takes more than that. The film failed to emphasized that or even mention it. Aside from that, what saddens me is that abortion becomes part of the choices. Shouldn't it be not mentioned at all?

Anyway, as a romantic/drama movie, this one had surely soared high! It's great! One of the best, I should say, especially for being so bold in tackling such topic. However though, I'd advised parents to see this films with their teens and not let them get the impressions that teen pregnancy is cool! Despite that, this one tops my favorites list!

P.S. Let me say that Hye-Sung Kim is soooooo cute!!!

Braces Tighten; Eating Lessen

I went to the dentist yesterday. I have put it off for a week or two and I have been bothered by it through dreams. Whenever I delay going to the dentist, my dreams have a way of reminding me about it and really pushing me to go the next day. Either I'd dream that all my teeth are falling or that something bad would happen to them. Anyway, so I went yesterday and my braces were tightened. I'm used to it being tighten and such but it has been a long time since it was done. I realized last night and today that I couldn't eat anything solid or that needs biting and chewing! Damnit! I still could eat that it'd be hard and I won't be able to taste the food well. Oh well, the price of having good teeth...

The Main Questions Is...

OK. Everything has been set. Biboy would be getting the tickets in the Makati office at 10 AM today. My interview with Direk Ellen will be on Monday at 5 PM at a cafe near her place. All I have to do now is re-sked for lunch the next day probably the get-together with the barkada this Saturday or just catch up with them. It's because the next showing of Mga Pusang Gala in Cubao will be on Saturday at 6:30 PM. I still don't know what films to watch since I don't have any idea how many tickets will be given to me. I hope that they would be enough for me to see three films (including "MPG") and Formula 17. I'm so looking forward to seeing this film because not only because of the hotties but mainly because it is Asian.

Out of all these, there's a question that's bothering me. What exactly is this? Is this a job where I could consider myself as part of the staff and be given assignments all the time? Or just a freelance thing? Of course, I want this to be permanent but it isn't up to me. I just hope that I'd make a great work out of this project that they consider me for something permanent. OR, something good would come out out of this...

And the Stakes Just Keep on Going!

I have already contacted Sir Angelo yesterday. So this is it! I'm definitely in! Wala nang atrasan 'to. It's a good thing that there would be complimentary movie tickets waiting for me in their office. At least, in case it'd be only for one, si Biboy na lang ang bibilhan ko. I'd be getting them tomorrow.

Then, I have texted Direk Ellen today and she is free for interview on Monday by 5 PM. My concern now is where to conduct the interview. Should I ask her preference or should I choose the place? In case it'd be the latter, should I pay for the expenses? Normally, I wouldn't worry about paying. But as you know, I'm on the tight budget these last few months. Hindi na ko pwedeng magpakabayani tulad ng dati at sagutin ang mga gastos na pwedeng 'yung pinapasukan ko naman ang umintindi. I've no permanent income to speak of. I've asked Sir Angelo about it and I'm still waiting for his reply.

But get this! Direk Ellen sent me a message once more asking if I want to interview his actors, too! OMG! The stakes just keep getting higher and higher! Talk about overwhelmed to the highest degree! Of course, being clueless as I am, I didn't know what to say. I'll leave it to our assoc. editor. Naks! Nakiki-our daw ako! If it was up to me, sympre naman, gusto ko 'yun!

Tarantanga!

I just learned that the next issue of Icon will be coming out this July! OMG! Talk about more pressure on my end! Lalo akong natatarantanga! My thoughts just went zooming all over the place. Ngayon ko pa lang nakontak si Angelo through e-mail and text. I've asked him a couple of questions re the sop's of conducting interviews and making write-ups. Aside from that, I also asked him if I'd be watching the movies at the festival out of own expenses. Isa 'yun sa isang malaking concern ko re this assignment. I have to watch three films and each movie costs PhP200! I could watch one of the films in UP Film Institute for a hundred bucks, though. But then, of course, I won't be seeing it alone. I'd bring Biboy along so the cost would get double. OMG! My heart is beating so fast...

The Right Word Is: Overwhelmed!

Last night, as I was going through my review blog, I noticed a message from a certain Angelo saying that he sent me an e-mail for a writing assignment. A writing assignment? What is that? I don't know any Angelo and it was the first time that he posted a mesage in the board. When I went to his name to check if he pasted a link (to his blog, probably), I saw that he was from Icon Magazine! OMG! He is the associate editor that Richie had told me about. He said that he'd be forwarding my mails and write-ups to Angelo for possible writing jobs. Mixed emotions have circulated in my body. I was surprised. I became excited. I felt anxious. Imagine, I'd finally get my reviews published for a magazine! HOWEVER, it was more than that!

In his e-mail, Angelo said, "I've read your works (nice work! :D), and we decided to give you an assignment for the upcoming issue of Icon." First, they want me to interview Direk Ellen Ongkeko-Marfil whose film, "Mga Pusang Gala", is part of the ongoing Pink Festival. And second, they ask me to watch and review two more films that are showing. He recommended "That Man: Peter Berlin" for the gay film and another one that has a lesbian theme.

I begun to feel more anxious about it. As I have said before, I'm not really confident about my writing abilities. I feel that I have "limited" vocabulary skills as compared to those who write for the magazine or any prestigious magazine for that matter. Besides, this is more than writing a review for a film which I'm used to doing! I need to interview a prominent figure in show business who, as I've read in the attached bio of her, worked with the likes of Lino Brocka, Ishmael Bernal, and Mike de Leon and just recently resigned from being the Associate Director of I-Witness and Debate to concentrate on directing films. So many questions have popped in my mind and I felt so pressured more than ever.

Until now, I haven't talked to Angelo yet. Not a single text message from me! I've realized that I'm feeling so overwhelmed about this whole thing. Should I continue with this? How could they entrust me such big project? Don't they feel that this interview should be given to a more experience writer than I am? What if Direk Ellen thinks that I am such an amateur? I am not sure if I'm just putting myself down or I'm just being rational with my thoughts. Yes, I do want to write but isn't this too big for me to embark upon?

As of the moment, I still don't know what to do. I have to decide the soonest because the festival will only be until the 12th of June. Besides, films are shown according to schedule.

Oh God, please give me the wisdom to know what to do and the strenght to follow it through...

Matters of the Heart

For the second time, Than-than and I received a text mesage from Elma asking us if we could meet her for drinks. As usual, whenever she wants to drown herself in beer, it is because of the matters of the hearts. She felt that Jay has been cheating on him. Not exactly having a "third" party but could be screwing around.

Hindi naman talaga kaming nagpakalasing. Elma just wanted to vent-up her feelings of frustration with her husband. She had waited for him to get home so that they could eat together. Several times, he said that he'd be coming home. But hours have passed without hearing from him, she asked again. He said that he'd be accompanying his friend to meet some girl in PWU. That was the time when she became infuriated. She felt that he didn't even consider that she was waiting for him to come home and that she hadn't taken her dinner yet! Besides, feeling niya mas excited pa si Jay na ma-meet 'yung girl kaysa sa kaibigan niya.

Kaya ayun, nilayasan niya ang mga bata (na may kasama namang kasambahay) at nakipagkita sa amin. We went to the bar under LRT Northmall where we went the first time. I had two San Mig Light while Than-than had three, I think. Elma only had one. Sabi ni Than-than na nagtataka siya kay Elma na sinusuong lahat ng problema pero pagdating sa pag-ibig, yumuyuko. Precisely, I said! Ganyan si Elma. When it comes to the matters of the heart, nawawala sa sarili. Aren't we all?

Pinayuhan ko lang si Elma na hanggang di niya nahuhuli sa akto si Jay, wag siyang gagawa ng drastic moves. Malaki na rin naman ang napuhunan niya sa relasyon nila para sumuko ng basta-basta. Ang sagot naman ni Mean when I talked to her via YM later that night, wag daw hihiwalay si Elma kahit pa mayroon nga talagang third-party. Ipaglaban niya raw. I was amazed with what I've heard from Mean. I never though of her as someone who would stay martyr in a relationship. I guess, being a family in the US had strengthen their relationship especially that they have no one else around but themselves. According to her, there was a woman who was flirting with Ruel and wanted a relationship with him. Fortunately, Ruel resisted the temptation and decided to ignore the woman altogether. Kaya nga sabi ko sa kay Mean na sadyang maswerte siya kay Ruel dahil mahal na mahal siya nito.