I asked some widowers I know why they never remarried, and most of them answered that they enjoy being single. Marriage and being single should be a personal choice. I strongly believe that it should not be dictated by society, culture or government.
*****Synopsis: Hindu customs dictate that widows, considered half-dead after the loss of their husbands, must be closeted in holy ashrams--a practice that still exists today. Set in the 1930s, the film tells the story of eight-year old Chuyia, whose husband dies before she even meets him. And Kalyani whose forbidden romance with a young Brahmin man, a follower of Gandhi, has denounced injustice.
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Hors de prix (Priceless)
Honestly, I wouldn't go for a guy just on looks alone. He's got to have the whole package: chemistry, looks, intelligence and success. He doesn't have to be filthy rich, but I think all women, no matter how modern she is, still believe that men should pay for the bill. Well, at least on the first few dates.
*****Synopsis: Through a set of wacky circumstances, a young gold digger mistakenly woos a mild-mannered bartender thinking he's a wealthy suitor.
*****Synopsis: Through a set of wacky circumstances, a young gold digger mistakenly woos a mild-mannered bartender thinking he's a wealthy suitor.
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Harrison's Flower
I would do the same thing as Andie Macdowell did: search her husband, an award-winning photojournalist missing in war-torn Yugoslavia.
A must see movie.
*****Synopsis: Harrison Lloyd has gotten one last assignment, in war-torn Yugoslavia, in 1991, at the height of the fighting. Word comes back that he apparently died in a building collapse, but his wife Sarah (also a journalist for Newsweek) refuses to believe that he's dead and goes looking for him.
A must see movie.
*****Synopsis: Harrison Lloyd has gotten one last assignment, in war-torn Yugoslavia, in 1991, at the height of the fighting. Word comes back that he apparently died in a building collapse, but his wife Sarah (also a journalist for Newsweek) refuses to believe that he's dead and goes looking for him.
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Love in the time of cholera
The bible says love is patient. For Florentino, it's very, very patient. But the question is: how long would you wait for love?
I read the book when I was in grade school, I didn't like it because I couldn't understand it then, and I still couldn't understand it now. I respect Gabriel Garcia Marquez, but I really don't understand love's waiting game. I know some people would even go through great lengths like following the person to a different country just to be close. I believe, however, that man should draw the line between love and obsession.
The movie for me just made me cringe. As New York Times says Florentino, the greatest fool, is "both the embodiment of passion ennobled by suffering and a ridiculous clown afflicted with the disease of passion, for which cholera is a pungent metaphor."
*** Synopsis: Florentino, rejected by the beautiful Fermina at a young age, devotes much of his adult life to carnal affairs as a desperate attempt to heal his broken heart.
I read the book when I was in grade school, I didn't like it because I couldn't understand it then, and I still couldn't understand it now. I respect Gabriel Garcia Marquez, but I really don't understand love's waiting game. I know some people would even go through great lengths like following the person to a different country just to be close. I believe, however, that man should draw the line between love and obsession.
The movie for me just made me cringe. As New York Times says Florentino, the greatest fool, is "both the embodiment of passion ennobled by suffering and a ridiculous clown afflicted with the disease of passion, for which cholera is a pungent metaphor."
*** Synopsis: Florentino, rejected by the beautiful Fermina at a young age, devotes much of his adult life to carnal affairs as a desperate attempt to heal his broken heart.
Love actually
Enjoyable film, but if you don't get to follow through, it gets confusing. And that's about 10 persons love life. I can't remember the story of the other nine lives anymore, however, I remember Keira Knigthly's - I guess, I like her story the most.
****Synopsis: The characters are falling in love, falling out of love, some are with right people, some are with the wrong people, some are looking to have an affair, some are in the period of mourning; a capsule summary of reality. Love begins and love ends. They flirt a lot. They are all flirting with love. At all ages and social levels, love is the theme. Romantic love and brotherly love is the hotchpotch through out the movie.
****Synopsis: The characters are falling in love, falling out of love, some are with right people, some are with the wrong people, some are looking to have an affair, some are in the period of mourning; a capsule summary of reality. Love begins and love ends. They flirt a lot. They are all flirting with love. At all ages and social levels, love is the theme. Romantic love and brotherly love is the hotchpotch through out the movie.
Great Expectations
Why is love always separated because of social class? Poor boy falls for rich girl then strives to be successful to win the girl's heart.
Scientists say that even animals find a strong partner that can contribute good genes, even male penguins provide food and shelter for their family.
I know that this type of love story is over-rated, but it's a sure formula for a good love story. Even Charles Dickens knows that.
****Synopsis: Pip, a good-natured, gullible young orphan finds two hidden escaped galley convicts. He obeys under -probably unnecessary- threat of a horrible death to bring the criminals food. Meanwhile, Pip is invited to became the playmate of Estelle, the equally arrogant adoptive daughter of gloomy, filthy rich Miss Havisham at her estate. Being the only pretty girl he ever saw, she wins his heart forever, even after a mysterious benefactor pays trough a lawyer for his education and a rich allowance, so he can become a snob in London, by now 'ashamed' of simple Joe. Only after years in idle wealth, Pip learns Havisham is not his benefactor as he assumed, and both her story and those of his real sponsor and Estelle...
Scientists say that even animals find a strong partner that can contribute good genes, even male penguins provide food and shelter for their family.
I know that this type of love story is over-rated, but it's a sure formula for a good love story. Even Charles Dickens knows that.
****Synopsis: Pip, a good-natured, gullible young orphan finds two hidden escaped galley convicts. He obeys under -probably unnecessary- threat of a horrible death to bring the criminals food. Meanwhile, Pip is invited to became the playmate of Estelle, the equally arrogant adoptive daughter of gloomy, filthy rich Miss Havisham at her estate. Being the only pretty girl he ever saw, she wins his heart forever, even after a mysterious benefactor pays trough a lawyer for his education and a rich allowance, so he can become a snob in London, by now 'ashamed' of simple Joe. Only after years in idle wealth, Pip learns Havisham is not his benefactor as he assumed, and both her story and those of his real sponsor and Estelle...
The boy who could fly
I remember my English teacher in 5th grade made us watch this movie in 1986. We were supposed to write an essay about it after. I don't remember what I wrote, but I clearly remember the movie. It was one of my favorite films when I was growing up.
*****Synopsis: Milly, her younger brother Louis, and their recently-widowed mom, Charlene, move to a new neighborhood. Once there, they all deal with a variety of personal problems, but Milly finds a friend in Eric, her autistic next door neighbor. Eric has a fascination with flight, and as the story progresses, he exerts an enthralling force of change on all those around him.
*****Synopsis: Milly, her younger brother Louis, and their recently-widowed mom, Charlene, move to a new neighborhood. Once there, they all deal with a variety of personal problems, but Milly finds a friend in Eric, her autistic next door neighbor. Eric has a fascination with flight, and as the story progresses, he exerts an enthralling force of change on all those around him.
Dangerous Liaisons
A provocative film which I first watched on a local TV channel a year after it was released in 1988. And cable T.V. wasn't available yet in Manila that time so it caught me by surprise when I was flipping the remote one night during the late 80s.
Uma Thurman and Keanu Reaves were just starting to build their resumes but I already had a gut feeling then that they were going to be superstars. I never found Michelle Pfeiffer stunning, but she played a great coquette in the film. Glen Close was impressive and John Malkovich was the best person to play the rake.
Honestly, they should have just left the movie alone. The Cruel Intentions (and its other parts) adaption of Dangerous Liaisons butchered not only the book but also the story.
*****Synopsis: Set in France around 1760-1770. The Marquise de Merteuil needs a favour from her ex-lover, Vicomte de Valmont. One Marquise de Merteuil's ex-lover, Gercourt, is planning on marrying a young, virtuos, woman called Cecile de Volanges. The Marquise would like Valmont to seduce Cecile before her wedding day. Meanwhile Valmont has a conquest of his own in mind, Madame de Tourvel, a beautiful, married, and God fearing woman. The Marquise doesn't think that Valmont can do it, she tells him that if he can provide written proof of a sexual encounter with Madame de Tourvel, that she will offer him a reward, one last night with her. But Valmont will find himself falling in love with Mrs. de Tourvel, embrasing the deadly jealousy of the marquise de Merteuil.
Uma Thurman and Keanu Reaves were just starting to build their resumes but I already had a gut feeling then that they were going to be superstars. I never found Michelle Pfeiffer stunning, but she played a great coquette in the film. Glen Close was impressive and John Malkovich was the best person to play the rake.
Honestly, they should have just left the movie alone. The Cruel Intentions (and its other parts) adaption of Dangerous Liaisons butchered not only the book but also the story.
*****Synopsis: Set in France around 1760-1770. The Marquise de Merteuil needs a favour from her ex-lover, Vicomte de Valmont. One Marquise de Merteuil's ex-lover, Gercourt, is planning on marrying a young, virtuos, woman called Cecile de Volanges. The Marquise would like Valmont to seduce Cecile before her wedding day. Meanwhile Valmont has a conquest of his own in mind, Madame de Tourvel, a beautiful, married, and God fearing woman. The Marquise doesn't think that Valmont can do it, she tells him that if he can provide written proof of a sexual encounter with Madame de Tourvel, that she will offer him a reward, one last night with her. But Valmont will find himself falling in love with Mrs. de Tourvel, embrasing the deadly jealousy of the marquise de Merteuil.
House of Flying Daggers
Impressive Cinematography, it was like watching a moving Chinese painting. I fell in love with the story, the breath taking scenery, and the very goodlooking guy.
*****Synopsis: In the year 859 A.D., as the Tang dynasty is beset by rebellion, Leo (Andy Lau) and Jin (Takeshi Kaneshiro) are a pair of lawmen tasked to spy on a revolutionary faction known as the Flying Daggers. Working on a tip that members of the group are working out of a brothel called the Peony Pavilion. Jin, in disguise, visited the place and is introduced to a beautiful blind dancer named Mei (Zhang Ziyi). However, Jin finds himself falling in love with Mei, thus the adventure of love and betrayal begins.
*****Synopsis: In the year 859 A.D., as the Tang dynasty is beset by rebellion, Leo (Andy Lau) and Jin (Takeshi Kaneshiro) are a pair of lawmen tasked to spy on a revolutionary faction known as the Flying Daggers. Working on a tip that members of the group are working out of a brothel called the Peony Pavilion. Jin, in disguise, visited the place and is introduced to a beautiful blind dancer named Mei (Zhang Ziyi). However, Jin finds himself falling in love with Mei, thus the adventure of love and betrayal begins.
ATAME! (Tie me up, Tie me down)
An interesting love story where you would really feel the underlying sexual heat of bondage. Anyway, if I was the girl, I wouldn't mind being kidnapped by the gorgeous Antonio Banderas =)
I was just 13 when I first heard about this controversial film by Pablo Almodovar. I remember I wasn't allowed to enter the cinema to see this movie, and it was hard to lie about my age, however, it remained in my memory bank of should-watch-list. It was only last year when I came across a DVD copy collection of Almodavar's work that I was able to watch this movie finally.
Sizzzzlllingg Hot film.
*****Synopsis: The film follows Ricky (Antonio Banderas), a young man recently released from a mental institution, who has been obsessed with Marina (Abril), an actress, former porn star, and recovering heroin addict, since the pair shared a one-night stand one year ago. Ricky kidnaps Marina, believing that he can force her to fall in love with him. Eventually, Marina does fall in love with him, but still considers herself his prisoner, and tells him to keep her tied up so that she won't try to escape.
I was just 13 when I first heard about this controversial film by Pablo Almodovar. I remember I wasn't allowed to enter the cinema to see this movie, and it was hard to lie about my age, however, it remained in my memory bank of should-watch-list. It was only last year when I came across a DVD copy collection of Almodavar's work that I was able to watch this movie finally.
Sizzzzlllingg Hot film.
*****Synopsis: The film follows Ricky (Antonio Banderas), a young man recently released from a mental institution, who has been obsessed with Marina (Abril), an actress, former porn star, and recovering heroin addict, since the pair shared a one-night stand one year ago. Ricky kidnaps Marina, believing that he can force her to fall in love with him. Eventually, Marina does fall in love with him, but still considers herself his prisoner, and tells him to keep her tied up so that she won't try to escape.
Il Postino (the Postman)
Remember the days when love letters were a norm? When we wait for the postman to deliver those scented stationary envelopes? When we waste too many papers just to write that perfect sentence with no erasure?
This movie is about love and writing about love. But there is also the friendship bond between the poet Pablo Naruda and Il Postino (the Postman).
*****Synopsis: A simple Italian postman learns to love poetry while delivering mail to a famous poet; he uses this to woo local beauty Beatrice.
This movie is about love and writing about love. But there is also the friendship bond between the poet Pablo Naruda and Il Postino (the Postman).
*****Synopsis: A simple Italian postman learns to love poetry while delivering mail to a famous poet; he uses this to woo local beauty Beatrice.
What happens in Vegas
Cameron Diaz and Ashton Kutcher were hilarious in this film. I couldn't stop laughing all through out. Indeed, greed makes people creative just to get what they want, especially when we're talking about the lovely scent of US$3 million jackpot.
****Synopsis: Two strangers awaken together to discover they've gotten married following a night of debauchery in Sin City, and one of them has won a huge jackpot after playing the other's quarter. The newlyweds devise ever-escalating schemes to undermine each other and get their hands on the money – only to find themselves falling in love amid the mutual backstabbing.
****Synopsis: Two strangers awaken together to discover they've gotten married following a night of debauchery in Sin City, and one of them has won a huge jackpot after playing the other's quarter. The newlyweds devise ever-escalating schemes to undermine each other and get their hands on the money – only to find themselves falling in love amid the mutual backstabbing.
Sex and the City
I watched this movie all because I love the TV series. Love the clothes, shoes, and bags. However, I found the story weak, and predictable. But this movie has sealed the deal to end the series.
Sex and the City may have changed women's view in terms of dating, but it still aims to remind viewers that that there is only one true love.
***Synopsis: Sex and the City finds Carrie, Samantha (Kim Cattrall), Charlotte (Kristin Davis) and Miranda (Cynthia Nixon) four years after the hit HBO series ended, as our favorite femmes fashionables continue to juggle jobs, friendships and relationships while they start to navigate motherhood, marriage and Manhattan real estate...
Sex and the City may have changed women's view in terms of dating, but it still aims to remind viewers that that there is only one true love.
***Synopsis: Sex and the City finds Carrie, Samantha (Kim Cattrall), Charlotte (Kristin Davis) and Miranda (Cynthia Nixon) four years after the hit HBO series ended, as our favorite femmes fashionables continue to juggle jobs, friendships and relationships while they start to navigate motherhood, marriage and Manhattan real estate...
Breakfast at Tiffany's
If there are food recipes passed down from generation to generation, this movie is my family's all time favorite classic (aside from Sound of Music). This film is my Grandmother's favorite, down to my mom, and I'd say it tops in my classic list which my kids someday will be obligated to watch.
*****Synopsis: Struggling writer Paul Varjak moves into a New York apartment building and becomes intrigued by his pretty, quirky neighbor Holly Golightly. Holly's lifestyle confuses and fascinates Paul; in public she flits through parties with a sexy, sophisticated air, but when they're alone she changes into a sweetly vulnerable bundle of neuroses.
*****Synopsis: Struggling writer Paul Varjak moves into a New York apartment building and becomes intrigued by his pretty, quirky neighbor Holly Golightly. Holly's lifestyle confuses and fascinates Paul; in public she flits through parties with a sexy, sophisticated air, but when they're alone she changes into a sweetly vulnerable bundle of neuroses.
A very long engagement
My mom has been recommending this movie for a long time, however, it took me two years to watch it because the title felt like it was going to be a dragging movie to watch.
I was wrong.
During a popcorn party at a guy friend's house, I was given the privilege to choose a film to watch that night. Since it was a choice between action films and this movie that popped out like a sore thumb in his collection, I immediately chose this. And it was a good choice because the guys in the party liked it as well.
*****Synopsis: Based on a novel by Sebastien Japrisot, published in 1993, the movie is about a young woman's desperate search for her fiancé who might have been killed on a World War I battlefield (the Somme).
I was wrong.
During a popcorn party at a guy friend's house, I was given the privilege to choose a film to watch that night. Since it was a choice between action films and this movie that popped out like a sore thumb in his collection, I immediately chose this. And it was a good choice because the guys in the party liked it as well.
*****Synopsis: Based on a novel by Sebastien Japrisot, published in 1993, the movie is about a young woman's desperate search for her fiancé who might have been killed on a World War I battlefield (the Somme).
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Como Agua Para Chocolate (like water for Chocolate)
I watched this movie when I was in High School, circa 1992.
I have a hard time finding a copy of this film. However, it has imprinted in my heart and mind.
*****synopsis: Based from a novel by Laura Esquivel, the movie is the story of a young girl named Tita who longs her entire life for her lover, Pedro, but can never have him because of her domineering mother's traditional belief that the youngest daughter must not marry but take care of her mother until the day she dies. Tita is only able to express her passions and feelings through her cooking, which causes the people who taste it to experience what she feels.
I have a hard time finding a copy of this film. However, it has imprinted in my heart and mind.
*****synopsis: Based from a novel by Laura Esquivel, the movie is the story of a young girl named Tita who longs her entire life for her lover, Pedro, but can never have him because of her domineering mother's traditional belief that the youngest daughter must not marry but take care of her mother until the day she dies. Tita is only able to express her passions and feelings through her cooking, which causes the people who taste it to experience what she feels.
Fool's Gold
My summer kicked-off with Fool's Gold which I watched with high school friends. The chemistry of Kate Hudson and Matthew McConaughey is awesome, i love them in How to lose a guy in 10 days. The movie was a symbol for me that summer, indeed, has started and the sea is waiting =)
I enjoyed the movie, but I'd say I'll watch it only for this summer 2008.
***Synopsis: A new clue to the whereabouts of a lost treasure rekindles a married couple's sense of adventure -- and their estranged romance.
I enjoyed the movie, but I'd say I'll watch it only for this summer 2008.
***Synopsis: A new clue to the whereabouts of a lost treasure rekindles a married couple's sense of adventure -- and their estranged romance.
Jeux d' Enfants (Children's games/ Love me if you dare)
I enjoyed watching this movie. It's a modern love story that is out of the ordinary. It made me realize that people are mostly afraid of rejection that the only way for them to admit what they feel for someone is when they are "dared" like the ever classic "truth and consequence" game.
****Synopsis: As adults, best friends Julien and Sophie continue the odd game they started as children -- a fearless competition to outdo one another with daring and outrageous stunts. While they often act out to relieve one another's pain, their game might be a way to avoid the fact that they are truly meant for one another
****Synopsis: As adults, best friends Julien and Sophie continue the odd game they started as children -- a fearless competition to outdo one another with daring and outrageous stunts. While they often act out to relieve one another's pain, their game might be a way to avoid the fact that they are truly meant for one another
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