Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief

At first I thought my 4-year old nephew should be the one watching this movie but it turned out that I was the one who enjoyed the movie even more than my nephew.

I was never a fan of Greek Mythology. Sure, I did a part in our High school literature class but I swear nothing got stuck in my mind after that module. (Hahaha! Sorry Ms. English Teacher!) but after watching this movie, I was gradually oriented to the usual stuffs of Greek Mythology: Zeus, Hades, and Poseidon. The official brotherhood! Hahaha! Chiron, the trainor. Medusa, that sexy body Uma Thurman has (don’t forget the deceitful eyes and wiggley hair). Athena, the one with the sexy gorgeous shiny hair. Hermes, the messenger… I have lots to talk about but I’m saving my ass to be corrected if I say something wrong in this blog. LOL! I admire how they put together the real world we live in and the world the gods live in.

The movie was really good and I admire how the screenplay, all the characters, were compared to the modern day people. I don’t know if I should believe what Chiron said in the movie… that gods interact with normal people once in awhile and somehow produce babies that become Demigods: you know, half-god, half-human. Creepy! But nonetheless, the story was very unique and I loved it.

The main character, Percy Jackson, really reminded me of Zac Efron. Uma Thurman, Medusa in the movie, really boasted her never-fading beauty and good acting! The actors, when put together, assemble a very nice movie. The effects shown in Hades’ kingdom were awesome! All the fires, the magic, the screaming, the struggles of people being burned in hell… everything! Although the effects shown in Percy’s revenge, like the waters coming out of the water tanks, were disturbing. Did not seem real but the actors coming out of it wet was somehow average. It was good.

I learned so much in this movie. Giving values to your gifts and using it for the common good is really rewarding. We might not be gods who have power over events but we always have choices to choose from… we just have to make sure that it’s for the better.

The Hurt Locker

The only movie that made my dad glued on the couch like a statue all throughout the movie.

Bombs. Bombs. Guns. They were everywhere.

I was once intrigued by this movie because I heard that Kathryn Bigelow, the movie’s director, won an Oscar so I hurriedly got a copy and watched it. At first, I thought it was boring and all I will see is war freak military men shooting at terrorists.

I did not know that things like these happen in real setting. I know that bombs do exist and wars are never-ending in the Middle East but this movie made me realize that “Hey! They do exist and this is what happens.”

How could someone risk his own life wearing only a piece of heavy jacket while cutting the wires of a suspected bomb? “Disarming” bombs would be a nice term and it might explode any minute. How could someone have the guts to do that nerve-shredding job. And how could someone love a job description that entails 365 days of discovering bombs, cutting off bomb wires, running away from exploding bombs? What is the image that gets into his head? A human turned into a bomb sniffing dog who sits on bombs that he detects? Well, someone in the movie did. He even risked the joy of having his family just to save lives and to make a name in history. Staff Sergeant James, for him, war is a drug. He survived the war with his body and soul intact.

I also saw in the movie how the military men deal with their day-to-day lives during a war. I saw the struggles of people who want to have a normal life but because they were faced with instances like these, they can’t even take a hold of a normal life… even just a touch. Did you know that there were actually human bombs? Terrorists make people wear bombs like vests and they could explode any minute… even while praying. Sad, isn’t it? This movie also reminded me of Valkyrie, only that it wasn’t Hitler on the big screen but bombs that need to be put off.

Who wants to get hurt or to die while doing their job?
Powerfully realistic, action-packed, unrelenting and intense.

The title says it all: The Hurt Locker.

The Blind Side

Based on the extraordinary true story.

Here, I saw the real impact of discrimination and racism in a colored man. An African-American teenager struggled to find his own identity and he found it by the help of someone not of his color. Sandra Bullock played a very interesting role in this movie. She was powerful and realistic. She and her family drove the African-American to discover and hone his own potentials. She helped him find confidence and gain new friends like a normal person in the neighborhood.

This movie showed how a family should be. Loving, thoughtful and understanding. One thing more I have realized is that in Rugby, you could think that your team is your family and you’d do everything to protect them. Back them up, save them, and look after them. The movie touched my heart and I am very happy that one ordinary man was helped to discover his real purpose and his real potentials.

Big Mike, I salute you!

Precious

Life is Hard. Life is Short. Life is Painful. Life is Rich. Life is… Precious.

Precious Jones will steal your heart because of the hardships she experienced in her life. I was deeply saddened by the movie. I cannot bear seeing Precious being abused by the people who are supposed to take care of him: her parents. I saw in the movie how Precious lived a not-so-ordinary life. At an early age she experienced abusive acts from her mother and she was even raped by her father. Where is CARE here? The people who are expected to take care of her, nurture her, support her, were the ones who destroy the beautiful life that awaits her. She grew up poor, illiterate, angry and unloved.

What’s more devastating is that Precious have a hard time trusting people that surround her and it’s even harder for her to accept her parents’ apology.

The Longest Journey begins with a Single Step.

A Switch to A New Vibe!

Hi, Bloggers!

I am on to a new vibe! I still write my thoughts and my realizations on this site but I added up some spice that could interest you also.

Long ago, I fell in love with the movies and everything in between. I have a wide collection of contemporary movies in our rack and I am proud to say that I watch them all- from local and foreign films, comedy, action, suspense, romance, etc. I sometimes spend a day watching four movies in a row. I love their stories and their revelations. They add-up realizations in my day-to-day life experience. I could sometimes feel that I can relate to the people involved in the movie- their story, their situation, their battle. I love the vibe movies give me!

About the new spice, I am into this routine called One Movie A Day in which I watch one movie a day and write my little thoughts about it. I write whether I liked the plot or not, if the actor’s hot, the setting was good, musical scoring, and the like. I criticize and I also ask. So I am inviting you to comment on my blogs as soon as I post them online. We could interact and exchange thoughts regarding the movie I have watched.

This could be a good practice for me to continually live my passion. I am currently enrolled in a film class and it would surely help me if I watch movies and write my thoughts about it. I write about almost everything and in the future I wish to share with you also some Pinoy Indie Films. It’s hard to find in the market due to private screening in micro cinemas, however, if I get the chance to watch one, I’ll surely post it online. Help me become a good filmmaker. Read my blogs, my thoughts, my insights… who knows you could be the one who’ll get the chance to star in my future screenplay. Hahaha! Dream big, some would say!

The longest journey starts with a single step.

Thanks!
Jonah

They Call Me "The Graduate"

The tassel's worth the hassle. Yes, indeed.

Dati super gustong-gusto ko na grumadweyt kahit alam kong medyo matagal tagal pa bago mangyari yun, and now, my tassel's on my left already... GRADUATE.

Something's holding me back though... inspite the happiness and greetings I get from people. For sure, I am going to miss the way of life I had in college. Yung tipong takot ma-late sa mga subjects, takot sa terror na prof, paggawa ng mga imposibleng assignments, pagtambay sa library... tawanan and kwentuhan with classmates, paunahan mag-sign sa attendance sheet, pagiging particular sa 15minutes or 30minutes grace period ng mga prof, pagluha sa mga productions, pagtawa sa mga itlog na score sa quiz/exam. All those petty things made my college life challenging, fulfilling, and worthwhile.

My mentors and professors who first made my stay a little scary but hella fun! You have shared so many things to us and it added up something to our knowledge. You were like our second parents who scolded us when we did something wrong and who applauded when we did something right.. but most of all, dear professors, you were the ones who imparted us essential things and nurtured us to become what we want to be. Without you, we won't graduate... and so many thanks and a big huuuug to you SIR and MAM! :)

At syempre, who would forget the people that made my college life fun and easier? MY FRIENDS & CLASSMATES. The verdict why I am sometimes late in the class, the culprit behind sa nagkaka-ubusang pad paper (one whole, cross wise, length wise, yellow paper) isama mo narin pati ang pagkakawalaan ng mga ballpen, Monggol No. 2 at liquid eraser. You will all be missed. Kakalimutan ko na yung mga utang niyo at yung mga nawala niyong gamit ko. HAHAHA!

Good Lord, this is the REAL WORLD. We are bound to take further steps to reach our goals and dreams in life... It is scary, yes. Siguro kaya natatakot din ako grumadweyt kasi more responsibilities and more expectations. Ito na yung stage na we will all get paid as to how many we can make out of something. WORK WORK WORK. Time to make a living. SCAAARY! but I know this is part of our journey, this is part of everyone's life so I might as well enjoy it. :)

I had so much fun with all of you! I wish the bonding never ends but, this is life, we have to part ways.. FOR THE BETTER. No matter what road you take, always remember what our good professor has taught us in his subject... BE PROUD THAT YOU ARE AN ESCOLARIAN.

Salute to BATCH 2010 Graduates! I love you!

How Holy was your Week?

Holy Week, as viewed by many people, is a time to visit and acknowledge the sufferings of our good Lord... but let us not deny the fact that it is, as well, the time to take few days off from work and have a BAKASYON ENGRANDE. Beaches. Parties. Souvenir shopping. Adventures. Nature trips. ETC!

I was told by my mom that when she went to mass last month, the priest included in his homily these pangarals:
"I know that it is summer time, Holy week na rin. Marahil marami sa inyo ang may mahahabang listahan kung saang mga lugar ang dapat puntahan, kung saan dapat magbabakasyon... sana wag naman nasa hulihan ng mga listahan niyo ang Bisita Iglesia. Ilagay niyo naman sa pinaka-unang bilang..." TRUE ENOUGH.

People take the chance but overlook the main essence of the Holy Week. As for my case, yes, I was able to take a few days off from the hustle-bustle of the city... in other words, I took a vacation. But I am proud to say that my family, who practice religious beliefs every single day, have placed Bisita Iglesia on our top priority this vacation. We did it in a different way though. Instead of walking from our house in QC to Quiapo, passing by 9 Churches, this year we visited 7 chuches up north- from La Union to Ilocos Norte. It was a very nice and solemn experience. Why solemn? Despite the travel time and the roads we had to take, we were able to get along with conservative probinsyanos who practice religious beliefs in solemn ways. The churches were quiet not like ones here in Manila... there were long processions everywhere and makikita talagang taim-tim na nagdadasal ang bawat isa. I am proud and happy that we did it up North!

The experience was extraordinary! Noong nasa last church na kami, it was really a relief! We were happy that we completed all the churches!

Now, how Holy wass your week?