Musings: HP 7.2 aka Loving Snape

*Admittedly, I am not a fan of the series. I haven't read the books nor watched all the movies.

When I first heard that I'd be watching the last installment of Harry Potter for free, I actually did not know what to feel or make out of it. First, I am not a fan. I just thought I'd be unworthy of the privilege, knowing other hopeful fans would want to have my passes. It would also be a guilt-trip moment since the non fan (aka me) gets to watch it on the opening day while the others (aka hardcore fans) patiently wait in the queue to get the tickets. In the parlance of the HP world, let's just say they're wizards, and I, admittedly am a humble muggle. Well, that may be the case, but this time, the magic is in my hands! (insert evil laugh of Voldemort after saying Harry is dead. HEHEHE)


Second, I avoided screenings that had so much HP fans in them. Let's face it, some fans (not all, mind you) lose it and become rather hysterical and way too spazzy, in their own ways, which sometimes distract other moviegoers. And I for one, do like that.


But, off I went.


 First, because it was for a cause - for the benefit of the Jose Reyes Hospital in Manila and their patients. And, it would be shown in Trinoma, one of the few places that I really love watching movies at. Really, it was another excuse to be at the comfort of the movie theater.


Anyway, since I haven't really got a good grasp of the entire HP story, I simply cannot judge if the movie was faithful to the book. Or if it was a great adaptation. But one thing struck me and lingered within the corners of my slightly fried brains until now- Severus Snape redefined love.

Cheesy, you say. Indeed it is.


Sorry, dreamlovers out there but the character would want to eat your brains and rip your heart of cheesiness.  In simple terms, Snape, all along, who is seemingly the wicked and ruthless guy suspected to get in the way of our protagonist Harry Potter, is in fact, protecting the latter from harm (and all those evil stuffs) because he just can't get over his former flame, Lily, who is Harry's mother. He has that innate desire to take care of his ex lover's son. He has that conscious and constant effort to love whoever it is that he deems to be loved by the love of his life. (Love.Love.Love) That's how much he cares for her! That's how much he loves her! Even if she was not his. Even if  he did not have all of her. Even if he only had a part of her.

For a story that revolves around revenge (oh yes it is), the Harry Potter series redeems itself here. Redemption may not probably encompass the entire situation, but it somehow balances the act of the vendetta concept. Voldemort seeks vengeance; he seeks power. And Harry is also turning the tables but he's out there not just to avenge but to defend himself, his family, friends and loved ones, even Hogwarts as well. But Snape, among others, is a pivotal character that can be subject to considerable complexity and utter mystery.  His character is a representation of a man who's a victim of society's incurable disease to stereotype. He's officious, creepy-looking, therefore, he's a bad guy. He's the guy we've been watching all along, but cannot fully grasp nor comprehend. Countless judgement and ill thoughts surge our mind when we think of him but we do not know completely know his motivations, his darkest secrets. Yet, he does not defend himself from the nasty impression nor he denies anything and be the good guy. He just lets himself be himself. Be Snape, no matter what you think of him, at all odds. But, time will come, not may be at the present or in the near future -but in the right time- all things will fall into place and then we'd be enlightened. Only then can we understand and accept him.


It seems like I'm not the only one who loves Snape. You know how much people love him? Check this. Snape bested Ron Weasley to earn the fan-voted title of the greatest character ever in J.K. Rowling's fantasy series. Below is an interview.

Anyway, I empathize with the fans and not-so-fans of HP, it must have been really overwhelming for them to say goodbye to their beloved series.


And just for the record, I fell all the more in love with Alan Rickman (yes, he played Snape) and definitely in awe of J.K. Rowling's imagination.


For now, you tell me you really know how to love? Well, you haven't met Severus Snape, darling.


RT:
❒ Single ❒ Taken ✔ Waiting for someone who will love me as much as Severus Snape loved Lily Potter. #creep :))

Musings: Gran Torino (2008)

Gran Torino, USA (2008)
Directed by Clint Eastwood
Cast: Clint Eastwood, Bee Vang, Christopher Carley, Ahney Her

Clint Eastwood makes our day again.

Certainly, he does in Gran Torino. Eastwood, who produced, directed and starred in this film about racial tension, family ties and most of all redemption, adds another wonderful touch to his already remarkable masterpieces such as Million Dollar Baby and Unforgiven.

Korean War veteran Walt Kawolski (Eastwood) is keeping a quite life at home, mostly having company with Daisy, his dog, and busying himself with the DIY’s household matters as he struggles to cope up with the recent death of his wife, the immigrant-packed Detroit neighborhood he lives in and the uneasiness of his relationship with his son and his bratty children.

He tends to build a life on all his own excluding the community he is in until Thao (Bee Vang), his teenage Mhong neighbor, is ordered by his cousin’s gang to steal Walt’s precious Gran Torino. It is by then that Walt is brought back by reality from his laments and guilt concerning his part during the Korean War.

Eastwood never failed to awe me in this movie both as an actor and as the director. From his horrendous expressions in the beginning to his wickedly comic exchange with his barber, with whom he exchanges vicious and explicit insults, one can definitely say that Eastwood’s next move is a must-watch. In inchoate hands the plot could have been raked in obvious familiarity and predictability. It could have fallen into the categories of crude comedy or over sentimentality if it hadn’t been for Eastwood’s portrayal. He takes in you in moments where you hold on to your seats, and he lets you see the fearlessness to express racial slurs, unappealing gestures and audacious insults right in front of your face, all in the Walt Kawolski’s way.

As the director, the man clearly knows what he is doing and how he’s going to have it in his way. His direction is lean, though the movie is quite extensive (remember, this is a Clint Eastwood movie), evidently taking the audience gradually to it exquisite conclusion. It is unhurried and yet not so slow to make you doze off or look away. He masterfully crafts it in a gorgeous piece which makes one delve in the scenario: from apparent racism, outright violence to remarkable revelations and redemption. He takes you in that fleeting moment through the cinematic masterpiece.

Notes:
BEST LINE: Walt asks a gang, “Ever notice you come across someone once in a while you shouldn’t f*** with? That’s me.” 

There are so many quotable quotes from this movie, mainly because of how Clint said them.

Musings: In The Mood for Love (2000)

In the Mood for Love, Hongkong, (2000)
Aka Fa Yeung Nin Wa
Directed by Wong Kar Wai
Cast: Tony Leung, Maggie Cheung


Wong Kar Wai's In the Mood for Love is a masterfully-crafted visual and emotional encounter which fuels our imagination to go beyond what is seen and to listen to such dramatic emotions even in the midst of the deafening silence. True to its title, it sets the mood for love- an intense feeling often distorted and misconstrued these days. It's unhurried, hence, it allows us to explore its alluring dimensions, through its main characters. The sense of uncertainty, fear, and desire floats in the air evidently. Yet even when it revolves around a strong emotion such as love, it never gives away the 'I Love Yous' often expected from romance flicks. But it surely does tug something within us- that often familiar feeling of falling in and out of love.


Not so vibrant as opposed to the other Wong Kar Wai films, it's nonetheless artistic and stylized. Classy production design, splendid cinematography, resonant musical score, among others. In the Mood for Love definitely serenades us with the rich and pervasive allegro and adagio of unrequited love.


It encapsulates such a thing as "it's complicated" in today's relationship status.

Cinemalaya 7 preps & CCP tour

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, the Cultural Center of the Philippines aka CCP.

CCP is dubbed as the "premiere institution for culture and the arts, embodying the highest standards of excellence and the service responsive to the Filipino and the world."

Sweet, isn't it?

My penchant for the culture and the arts has started since I-honestly-don't-know-when. It's not a characteristic that I was born with nor it is a trait that I was coerced to accept. Like a fluid, it just naturally flows.

Fortunately, I've been having the privilege to attend events at the CCP since college, and some of them were free. Thanks to my former professor, and now friend, who handed us the passes for free! From concerts to plays, I made it sure that I was there to see them for myself. For me, there's always something fascinating about the arts. And last July 12, I paid the place a visit. (As if...)

*again, sorry for the blurry and grainy pictures

Cinemalaya and all of its lights. Preparations for the biggest and most-awaited independent film festival in the Philippines has started. People in the CCP are evidently looking forward to its July 14 opening.

Once there, I proceeded to the Manuel Conde Hall aka the Dream Theater for the Cinemalaya orientation. It's an intimate venue to have a film screening, with just a 100-seating capacity. There were probably around 50 of us in the room who were paying attention to a woman who was delving into the details of the most-awaited independent film festival in the country today. After what seem to be a brief introduction, a man named Mark, gave us a tour. Needless to say (and yet I'm saying it), I am thrilled.

No echo, oh oh oh. The CCP Little Theater is aka the Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino named after  the Filipino playwright and dramatist, who had written Kahapon, Ngayon at Bukas.  It has a seating capacity of 421 guests. While there, Mark emphasized that the theater had great room acoustics, and that sound waves would not reverberate in the room. Hence, no echo will be heard. Also, he said that an electric water pump has to be constantly turned on and maintained to make sure that water is kept out since the place was already below sea level. 

The Contrast. As opposed to the Little Theater, a person can hear an echo in this area backstage.

The Main Theater aka Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo facade.  

The Main theater can accommodate 1,823 guests. It has four levels: Orchestra, Boxes, Balcony I, and Balcony II.  Internationally-known plays like Peter Pan and Cats, among others, were also staged in this theater.

A splendid artwork displayed in the Silangan Hall. The place is not always open to the public. Oftentimes, only VIP and notable guests can  use the hall. But during Cinemalaya, the room is utilized.

A wonderful panoramic view of the Manila Bay and Harbour Square can be seen through the Silangan Hall windows.

Trivia: The three chandeliers represent the Philippines' Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao islands. The biggest one is located in the middle. Why? Because former First Lady Imelda Marcos was from the Visayas region. Now that's interesting.

Rakizta si Rizal. A stunning and symbolic mural adjacent to the Main theater illustrated Jose Rizal, the country's national hero, as the  role model for the youth today.

Now that CCP tour, ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, would have cost me P280.00. 

But because we were coordinators for the upcoming Cinemalaya 7, it was given to us for free.

See you at CCP and I look forward to meet you at the Cinemalaya! :)

Eiga Sai: The 2011 Film Festival Challenge Update

Te hee!

Remember THIS? Well, I've got an update!

Let's add Eiga Sai to the list. Another film festival crossed out in the list of my must-attend activities.

What's Eiga Sai? It's the Japanese translation of film festival. Hence, technically, saying Eiga Sai film festival is redundant. The right way to say it is the Japanese Eiga Sai. 

The Eiga Sai promotional tarp, featuring a production still from the opening film Departures, displayed at the EDSA Shangri-La atrium.

The Your Friends movie poster.

Last July 7, after two meetings and one heavy lunch, I headed to The Shang to meet my high school pal and to watch the 4 p.m. screening of the Japanese movie, Your Friends. I was moved but honestly, I fell asleep when the film was about to end. It was somewhat dragging. Nevertheless, it was a tearjerker. Anybody who has a friend, and is a friend himself/herself would be delighted to see this simple story about childhood friendship. What's more cheesy about watching films like this is when you watch it with your very own childhood BFF. Puffy, indeed.

More eiga sai to go! 

Up next: Cinemalaya Film Festival

Soon: Silent Film Festival

See you!

iSight: Cherry, Julia and Gemma

Book creeping. Is there even such a term? 

I. Don't. Know.

 Anyway, here are several book covers, photos I had come across for the past few months. Something about them had interested me.

Losing Gemma. I was amused when I first saw this because it reminded me of my former professor named Gemma  who had gone to the UK to reunite with her husband. (And I hope she's not reading this. LOL)

Robert de Niro behind the camera. We know Bob  as a great actor, but he's also a terrific director, so they say.

The ever elegant Grace Kelly. There's just something beautiful and divine with the Princess  of Monaco. She's just lush.

Michelle Pfeiffer, Susan Sarandon and Cher, all rooting for one guy- Jack Nicholson. Stellar cast indeed in the 1987 dark comedy, Wicked Witches of Eastwick.

Meryl Streep on the cover of Rolling Stone. What's more interesting is the explanation of this shot on the next page.

Exploring Philippines via paper. It's a really thick book. Insightful and informative, indeed.

Wohoo. Cher's Forever Fit book. I'm not a fan but I took a photo of it because I knew someone who's a tremendous Cher fan.

Finally. I was able to read Jessica Zafra's latest installment in her Twisted series! It's quite cheap - less than P200.00, but I consumed it right there next to its shelf while waiting for a text confirmation. I know, I am bad.

I didn't know he has written a book, until I saw this.  I first saw Michael Angelo F. Lobrin during  a Mass at Valle Verde. He was so funny, I actually forgot he was delivering a homily. 

As Always Julia. It's probably weird, but when I see a photo of Julia Child, I hear Meryl Streep's 'Bon Appetit' impersonation.

I want to Die Another Day when I saw this picture. The deliciousness of Rosamund Pike, Pierce Brosnan and Halle Berry, in a promotional picture of the James Bond movie, Die Another Day.

Reminded me of a certain person named Cherry Aggabao. Haha. :)

SideTrip: Eastwood

Wake up buddy, it's not California. We're in Eastwood.

Anybody who has been there (and done that?) would claim that Eastwood, along with a place such as the Makati and Ortigas CBD or Bonifacio Global City, are certain places in Metro Manila which would make you feel like you're not in Metro Manila. Tall buildings. Busy streets. Awesome landscape. Whatever that  X factor is, one thing is certain. It's an escape. 

Last May 12, I had the chance to drop by in this 17 hectare commercial and residential area developed by Megaworld Corporation. All I knew that time was that Eastwood is a gimikan, a hangout haven for the party people. It is. But I didn't really think that it was that kind of 'commercial and residential area', high-rise with condominium units surrounded with malls, bars, delis and cafeterias, etc. I'm impressed actually, that Filipinos can build such a model community. The delicious vibe is so pleasing, you might want to taste it in the air. 

As I've said, it's an escape. Escape from the urban jungle of the metro. Escape from pressing socio-economic issues. Escape from the sometimes disgusting reality that we are in a said-to-be a third world country. What we get is a momentary dream to be somewhere else, to be somewhere appealing, like what we see in the movies.

I hope that momentary dream would be the evident reality someday. That there would be more Eastwood vibe in the country.

This is the day...

I don't know where to start.


July 7, 2011. May be I can start with that.


Today is monumental. You know when they say, when it rains, it pours? Well, it really rained today.


Here's the rundown of the events today: new opportunities, Japanese film, uber fun bonding, and The Iron Lady teaser trailer.


I'm beyond ecstatic. Honestly, I'm still trying to compose decent and/or logical thoughts, but I'm so spazzy, I cannot contain the happiness and excitement. Hence, all the babbling, flooding, spamming and sharing...


And just so you know, below is the teaser.

Man 1: One simply has to maximize your appeal, bring out all your qualities and make you look and sound like the leader that you could be.
Man 2: You've got in in you to go the...
Man 1: Absolutely.
Man 1: That hat has to go. And the... pearls. But the main thing is your voice. It's too high and has no authority.
Margaret Thatcher: I may be persuaded to surrender my hat, the pearls, however, are absolutely non-negotiable. That's the term that we want to strike.


-
I just died and went to Meryl Streep heaven. #Streepspazz

Picture Story #1

I'd be launching a challenge to my readers- that is if anybody really bothers to read my posts and that somebody's willing to join the ride. Well, here's a pic. And I hope you can make a story or essay out of this. I figured I might be off the radar for quite a few days and I didn't want my preceding post to be ward you off. Enjoy! I'd be glad to read and share them here. Just hit the comment button and  let me know what your ideas are. :)

Lie

purple dress.

Saturday night.

you said goodbye.

It wasn't the first time.

colored excuses.

Sunny weekday.

you were ecstatic.

It was one of those times.

black alibi.

Gloomy weekend.

you were melancholic.

It was a rare moment.

white lie.

Every time.

moody.

Always.

The Playlist: Feel Good Inc pt. 1

For what it's worth, I'm listening to The Fray's How to Save a Life right now. What its direct effect to you, that I can't tell. But for one thing, it's on my Feel Good playlist these days. Let me share some of the songs I have in mind for this kind of playlist. I don't know if you'll like them but here they are, enjoy! And welcome. :)


1. The Fray- How to Save a Life
2. Coldplay- Viva La Vida
3. Jessie J- Stand Up
4. K.T. Tunstall- Suddenly I See
5. Maroon 5- Sunday Morning
6. Lenka- The Show
7. Carlisle Belinda- Heaven is a Place on Earth
8. Cee Lo Green- Fuck You
9. Bruno Mars- The Lazy Song
10. Katy Perry- Firework
11. Natasha Bedingfield- Pocketful of Sunshine
12. The Beatles- Here Comes The Sun
13.  Tegan and Sara- Where Does the Good Go?
14.  Jason Mraz - I'm Yours
15. Michelle Branch- Breathe
16. Katie Herzig- Sweeter than This
17. The Perishers- Come out of the Shade
18. Northern State- Iluvithwhenya
19. Ben Lee- What Would Jay-Z Do?
20. Lady Gaga- Born This Way


These are just some recommendations. Hopefully, I can update and include the links. I will share again soon. Have an eargasmic day! :)

iSight: iPhone designs

It's probably something that I should not be proud of, I said.

If I had some queer habit to confess, I think it would be my seemingly uncontrolled urge to take a picture of something that interests me. And I'm not talking about photography here, mind you. I'd just like to have a photo of that thing, regardless of its size or form, whether it's a book, a DVD, a newspaper clipping, an artwork, name it! 

In this case, that habit kicked in during my trip at the PowerMac center in SM North EDSA annex last May. I found myself snapping my camera (cellphone cam if you'd like to know) at these 'iPhone artworks' created by famous personalities. Well, for one thing, it was George Clooney's name that caught my eye. Then I saw Katy Perry, Eminem, Penelope Cruz, and Coldplay among others. Well not in that order, and technically, only their names. 

Weird? Normal? Unusual? Hilarious?

Like I said, It's probably something that I should not be proud of. Probably.

But it's one thing I'd like to share nonetheless.

And for these eccentricity, I'd like to borrow the term from one of the Ang Pamantasan's sections, iSight.

The 2011 Film Festival Challenge

Thunder roared. Heavy rain poured. And there we were, seemingly dancing under the buckets of teardrops beneath the angry skies.

I wish it was that beautiful. That poetic. But it wasn't. All I remember was my AP friends fooled around, twirled our umbrellas and dragged ourselves from PLM to the United Nations LRT station, despite it was raining cats and dogs. And that's probably the most memorable trip I had to any film festival I had ever participated. That was during the French Film Festival at EDSA Shangri-La. 

And that was three years ago.

I had first known about the film festivals held in Shang when I came across an ad about it in the Philippine Daily Inquirer. I was a sophomore then. I perfectly remember that we were celebrating our university's foundation day when I, together with my friend, first went there. That was definitely not the last time.

Admittedly, that time, watching French films sounds more exciting to me than just lingering around the campus, pretending to be excited about activities that didn't require our participation, except may be for scripted applause. Clearly, there are better ways to kill time, and for something that you enjoy, right? Let the blissful murder of le temps, commence! Hence, it was a great way to get away (I love the rhyme). And one that doesn't cost; it's open to the public. First-come, first-served though.

French, Italian, Chinese, Japanese and even silent films are featured every cycle. I'm not sure, but I think they also showcase Taiwanese and Spanish film festivals, as well. 

Last year, I was too busy with my academics and extra-curricular activities that I actually missed several film festivals at Shang. In fact, I only got to watch a film called The Stendahl Syndrome (about an illness of the same name) during the Italian film festival last October. (Yes. I was that busy.)

But this year? Let's just say, I will not let that happen again. I made myself a challenge: I vow to watch at least once in every film festival this year. Tee hee, I can download the films via torrent or have them in pirated DVD, but this challenge thrills me. The idea of finding time to be there even on hectic days is quite fun to imagine.

The French Film festival ad at Shangri-La, featuring the lovely portrait of Sandrine Bonnaire, whose films had been showcased during the film fest. 

The French film fest had just finished last June and I had only watched two films: Mademoiselle and Arthur. Currently, I'm planning  to attend the Eiga Sai or the Japanese film fest, from July 1 to 10.

Let the challenge begin!

Meanwhile, Tara lets!

Text Back

1 message received.

It's 2011 already. These days, everyone must have probably gotten a cellphone. Not may be at the moment but even just once, in their existence. Long before the iPhone and Blackberry, and the rest of the smartphones, had existed, people depended on these handy gadgets for that one thing: instant communication. It's not like we're still in the old days when we would wait for months just to get a reply. And it's definitely not like in the magical world of Harry Potter where only owls were utilized to transmit information across borders. Luckily, we are in the 21st century and communicating with one another has never been faster and easier

Faster and easier. It sounds like it's just a breeze. It seems like communicating with these mobile phones is as easy as 1,2,3. No big trouble, after all. But now, tell me if it's just easy as what it seems, then why would people seem to have a hard time doing an equally easy thing just like replying to a text message?

Oh no, don't tell me that we'll start blaming these portable things for their difficult-to-understand interface, or their confusing buttons. That's just a lame answer one can ever get. Why don't we get a reply, then? 

Walang load.

I've known people who endlessly showcase and parade their expensive cellphones (and not just one) around, along with their numerous not-so cheap gadgets as if its the Pahiyas festival in Quezon, only that they do it daily and that they're showing off gadgets and not their harvested crops.  Really, the act is screaming 'I am techie-savvy and for Pete's sake I lurveee technology!!!" or whatever phrase is suitable for them in the urban dictionary. But surprisingly, sometimes, they confess,

Walang load.

Sometimes, as if it's a trick of fate or just some random coincidence, these would be the same people who brag that they do frequent, if not hang out, at Starbucks, as if its a ritual never to be missed. As if forgetting such trip to the notable coffee shop would be a mortal sin, and it would be unforgivable. So they go there, have coffee, and yes, do the cycle once again- the Pahiyas Techie Festival in Starbucks! I would have concluded that they're living a hell of a life! Places to go to. Money to spend. Extravagance and luxury to live.

Pero walang load.

I could only let out a deep sigh. Really.

We have cellphones, mainly, to communicate faster and easier, right? It's just funny -at least for me- that you go around parading how 'rich' you are with all those gadgets and with all the Starbucks getaways, and yet, you don't have enough credit in your phone for a P1.00 reply. Really, you're funny, who are you kidding?

For some, communication is a necessity; I don't know with the rest of the humanity, though. I thought it was a common sense to reply to someone who's asking something through text. Especially if it's an important query. Especially if it's urgent.  But surely, "Please reply" and "Text back" were coined to stress that it's just so overratedly vital to answer back. Or may be they are to remind us, as if a prodding that means, "Utang na loob, magpa-load ka at reply-an mo ako!!!"

By then, I found out, common sense is not so common after all.