She's the Man

I just had the best time watching this footy flick! Well, if it is about footy then there's always a 98% likelihood that I'll enjoy it. But this came as a total surprise because I really thought that I was done with teenybopper flicks a long time ago. I guess that will never happen considering I myself am stuck at the age sixteen. Haha!

And Amanda Bynes is always sooo adorable. I was never a Nick fan but I have always enjoyed her movies. This time around she played Viola who, after the girls' soccer team from her old school got scrapped, pretended to be her brother Sebastian so she could play in the rival school's boys' soccer team and prove to her old school that girls can play in a the boys' team. So as her brother (played by Justin Kirk) went to London to pursue his music, Viola moved to his new school, as him of course--and found herself roomies with one hot hottie. Now, Channing Tatum as Duke was absurdly delicious. The thought of him and those lips (oh!) never fail to put a silly grin on my face. That's why I try not to think about him when I'm in public! And he was also the school's soccer team captain. I lurve team captains! And another plus--he looks wickedly good enough to pass as Wentworth Miller's baby brother (although there's absolutely nothing babyish about him, if you know what I mean).I definitely had a ball watching Viola, as Sebastian, become quite the ladies' man. And Duke was something of a character--tough on the pitch but sensitive on the inside. I'm mush! And one of the funniest scenes was when the guys found Viola's tampon stash. She told them that the tampons were good for stopping nosebleeds and that, guess what?, Beckham uses them for that purpose. Atta girl! Of course, you'd see Duke later on sporting one after a nasty nosebleed.

So, I won't spill anything more about the plot 'cause anyone who hasn't seen it deserves their fun. Lemme just say that it was ridiculously cute. You're probably thinking that I'm biased sine it is a football movie but I don't think so. It was one of those really great feel-good movies that you want to go forever.

And no, I don't like cheese. Do you?

Blogging and Me

I have been tagged by Dylan to tell you:

1. When did [I] first start blogging and why? I started blogging middle of last year when there's was just nothing better to do at a certain point of time. And out of the blue, it just became something I couldn't do without. Unlike keeping a written journal--which I have done since forever--it's more fun because I could get to read other people's blogs as well. It was keeping a journary and at the same time interacting with people from all over the world.
   
2. What don't [I] talk about? Things that I myself try not to think about but usually, I just talk about anything I feel like sharing with others. But politics and religion are things I don't wanna make a comment on--no matter how much I'm dying just to.
   
3. [Am I] and [my] blogging persona the same person? Most of the time, yes--because if I let Tiffany (my inner witch-with-a-capital-B) reign supreme, this place will be full of profane rants you won't even wanna read it.
   
4. How do [I] use blogging to build friendships? I don't. It's the connection I find with other bloggers that build my friendships with them. I think. But it's always fun to know that there are actually other people in the world who like the same things you like.
   
5. How would [I] describe your writing style? Free, fun, and me. Although I warn you that there will be times when it could nasty in here--that's when Tiffany rears her ugly head.

I'm tagging Ai-ai, Yowee, Rex, and Talia.

The Prince & Me

Thank God for cable TV. I just saw the movie there the other day and I remembered that I wasn't able to blog about it the first time I saw it last year. So here goes.

Good movie. It's not exactly uber great but it definitely was not a waste of my time. If you know me then you'd know that I love romances. That goes especially true when royalty is involved. I practically hunt for these books and I just gobble (there's no better word for it) them all up like mad. The movie gave me the chance to have a break from the reading but at the same time still enjoy a good story. And we're not just talking about any royal peerage but a Crown Prince who became King.

Luke Mably played Prince Edward of Denmark--who went to rural Wisconsin to 'find himself' which really meant to get away from the constant attention of the paparazzi. I liked the accent, and the near-pale but ruddy complexion was very Prince Harry. Julia Stiles was Paige Morgan--who was a John Hopkins hopeful bent on saving the world. Julia never fails that's why I love her movies--and there's just no not liking her.So while 'Eddie' rusticated, he and Paige fell in love. Then he had to go back to his country; but not before he was outed by the paparazzi. Hence the best point of the story (IMHO)--how strong a character Paige was. It takes a lot of guts to go after a prince--the Crown Prince!--but she did it. And when it was almost all said and done, she opted out to follow her dreams and be her own woman. But the new King was prepared to let her be that, as long as she wasn't far from him. Of course, if you're Queen no one can tell you you can't be a doctor, too.

We grew up on fairy tales and on believing in them. But when we get older, reality starts to sink in--and reality tells us that fairy tales are nothing but lies. But what the heck, do you really believe that? Because if you do, then you don't believe in finding your Prince Charming and living your happy ever after. And that's sad. Because it's highly likely that your Prince Charming is just waiting for you so he could make a truth of his fairy tale. Fancy that.

Superman Returns

I finally had the chance to see the movie. At long last. I was still in high school (which was a million years ago) when I first heard that a new Superman movie was in the works. At that time, producers were looking at Nicholas Cage to don the tights. I remember thinking: oh. Not that I have anything against Mr Cage but the thought of him wearing the S suit didn't do it for me. Fast forward to 1006 and the Man of Steel has finally made his comeback!

And what a comeback it was! Brandon Routh was--tsss!--hot. Most of the time, hot does not even do him justice. He's just too good to be true. *Sigh* But there he was--in tights, no less. Which was only right because an un-superhunk wouldn't have worked. And he did an amazing job filling in those tights, uhm, shoes. No, boots! Jeez. Even if he himself admitted that his similarity to good ole Christopher Reeve was what netted him the job, no self-respecting casting director would have given it to him if he weren't able to do some decent acting. It's hard to believe that he was a virtual unknown prior to this project. (By the way, can you spot him in Christina Aguilera's What a Girl Wants video?) He looked like on old pro on the screen, his presence palpable. I just hope that he doesn't get trapped in the Superman stereotype. Although it's possibly too late to hope for that.And then there's Kate Bosworth. In real life she gets to snog up with Orlando Bloom. Then she gets to play Lois Lane to Routh's Clark Kent. Can a girl get any luckier? She's not just pretty but also did one heck of an acting job. I loved her when she surfed the blue crush and when she won that date with Tad Hamilton. Here she got to play a more mature role and did it splendidly. The brunette 'do helped her pull off the job because with her blonde looks, it would've been impossible to pass her up as someone's mother, let alone a four-year old's (unless she had the kid at twelve). Now that I think about it, Orli is one lucky guy.

But was James Marsden's character, Richard White, really necessary? Of course, Superman would've died without him. But that's neither here nor there. Why didn't they make the character not to be in love with Lois? Why not create a character who's just an honest to goodness friend who happens to know how to fly a plane? I love James Marsden and his character both but Superman is one heck of a rival. This character is just a heartbreak waiting to happen. And Kevin Spacey did a creditable job as Lex Luthor. He had some big shoes to fill seeing as how effective Gene Hackman was in that role in the 1978 version. I can still remember how scared I was of him when I first saw that flick when I was around five or six.

All in all it was a great movie experience for me. It's not the bestest and it won't be my mostest favorite but in the scale where ten is the highest, it definitely is on the better side of seven. Director Bryan Singer did an X-tremely wonderful job in making it--and in piecing together a story after the comics 'killed' Superman off. Except for one shot where Superman looked too 3D, the FX in the movie were super as well. Nice. Can't wait for the next one. Yes, believe you me, this won't be the last time we see Mr Faster-Than-a-Bullet on the big screen.

Many a Demise at Gelsenkirchen

Losing to Portugal through spot kicks (again!) on our July 1 quarterfinal match was a lot harder to take than if we had lost to them in open play. Of course, it didn't help that we all know England doesn't really shine during penalty shoot-outs. Understatement of the year.

With the mediocre performances we gave during the group stage, I'd always thought that it could only get better. And althought we were getting the necessary points, there was always something we could have done better. It was a relief to avoid Germany in the knockout phase and then scraping a win against Ecuador to proceed to the last eight. If I'm frustrated with the results, I can't imagine what the players are feeling. But really, it's no time for any fingerpointing. But I can't help but feel disappointed--what-might-have-beens and what-ifs are nasty stuff. How many shots did Frank Lampard attempt at (and not convert)? What if Michael Owen didn't get injured in the opening seconds of the Sweden game? What if David Beckham didn't get injured in the second half of the Portugal match? If they held their own with ten men, what could have happened if Wayne Rooney didn't pull off a Beckham'98? Questions abound. Questions that I can't help but ask. Nevertheless, our Germany '06 campaign has come to a bitter end.
So now we have seen the end of the Sven-Goran Ericksson tenure as England coach. We have seen his tactics work but there have been times when they failed. His five years in-charge of the squad didn't alter England's status as a quarterfinal team. Fortunately enough, it didn't demote us into anything less either. There had been good, even great times, under the Ericksson watch but with all the scandals he had been involved in of late and the media circus they resulted in (but let's not go there), it definitely is time for a change. We can only hope for even better times as the Steve McLaren era begins.
The day following the defeat to Portugal, David Beckham resigned as England captain. Listening to him say the words and seing him try to hold back tears during that press conference was not something I'd likely forget. I knew this was coming but I didn't expect it to happen this soon. Of course, it was the right thing to do because he's no longer guaranteed the armband without Ericksson at the helm. Becks is not the type to wait to be stripped of the captaincy. And it's time to make way for new blood. But just like him, I always thought that this would come at the back of a successful World Cup. Whoever wears the armband next will always have my props.

Even after hearing about Beckham resignation, even after watching the squad arrive back in England, even after seeing replay after replay of the match in Gelsenkirchen (yes, I can be a glutton for punishment sometimes), I still feel like I'm on another plane where all these are but a nightmare. It still hasn't fully sunk in yet even with visuals of Becks trying to console a crying John Terry, of a dejected Gary Neville, of the whole England squad, staff and fans with shocked disappointment on their faces keep flashing through my eyes. Pictures I have added to an archive I would rather not get used to seeing--the Beckham 1998 fiasco, a crying David Seaman after losing to Brazil in the Korea/Japan 2002 quarterfinals.Writing these words down was not easy. But it is over. what do you suppose we--I--do in the next four years? Maybe we could do a dry run and win the European championship in two years time in Austria/Switzerland. Really, I just want to see England lift the World Cup in my lifetime. Better luck next time indeed. Maybe South Africa 2010 will bear witness to that.

New Home Sweet Home

Okay, enough copy-pasting from my old blog. Too bad though that Weblog still doesn't have the Import feature yet.
But that's alright since I don't mind not being able to bring forward every post from the old place. You could always redirect yourself and go there.

So, as I blog away, any reader comments, rants, suggestions, violent reactions or what-have-yous are welcome.

My 25 Picks

My list, my opinion. I'm sorry if you had seen one (or all of them) and didn't really like it (or all 25). But if there's a movie here that you have not seen, I closely recommend you go ahead and see it. Soon. Or right after reading this.

So let's count them down...

25) Much Ado About Nothing (1993)
Since Romeo and Juliet has become so overrated, I consider this my favorite Shakespearean work that has graced the big screen. This was Kate Beckinsale's debut film and she was just lovely in the role of Hero; while Robert Sean Leonard, as her wronged lover Claudio, was a dream come true. Shakespearean actors Kenneth Branagh, as Benedick, and (his then real-life wife) Emma Thompson, as Beatrice, were in their element as usual. And the lovely cast didn't end there. Denzel Washington was charming as Don Pedro of Aragon and Keanu Reeves was in a villainous role as Don John. Lovely!

24) The New World (2005)
You should see this if only to watch Q'Oranka Kilcher give a very powerful, very riveting performance as Pocahontas. And the sounds of nature in this one is pure heaven. We all know that John Smith never married--which is very un-Colin Farrell (if you know what I mean). But that made him perfect for the role because he always has this roguish look (both on and off screen) that makes you wonder of he just loves to play with a woman or if he simply loves her. And Christian Bale as John Rolfe was another dream come true. This movie was wonderfully made and tugs at your heartstrings like crazy. I could not watch it after the second time because it was too emotionally draining for me. But I'm gonna get a copy because I'm sure to watch it again--be it ten years from now. I could never say no to a true love story.

23) Wicker Park (2004)
Those Josh Hartnett eyes makes you wanna melt. Sheesh! As Matthew, I would give anything to be his Lisa. Now, Diane Kruger played her beautifully. And Rose Byrne, as Alex, was the villain I love to hate. Love does move in mysterious ways--but a lot freakier and darker here than most. Even with all the human factors involved in the trickery in this movie, it showed though that Fate still has a hand in (re-)uniting souls together.

22) King Arthur (2004)
Period pieces are my kind of movies. Add Clive Owen as the mythical Arthur, Keira Knightley as Guinevere, and Ioan Gruffudd as Lancelot and we are all set. Produced by his holiness Jerry Bruckheimer and with a tagline about 'the story behind the legend', there's no way this one won't be included in my current list.21) Behind Enemy Lines (2001)
Believe it or not, I love war movies. That especially goes with stories set within the main conflict--like this one. Gene Hackman, as Admiral Leslie McMahon Reigart, was amazing (as usual) and Owen Wilson was so un-Owen Wilson as Lt. Chris Burnett. I just love him! And recon gone wrong was a cool plot. The twists in the movie were so unexpected--hence, a twist...duh!--I almost had a heart attack everytime I thought Burnett was gonna get caught. My fave scene has gotta be when he hid in a mass grave. Damn!

20) Iron Jawed Angels (2004)
Movies based on true events are cool. But those that are tastefully done are the best. And this HBO Original fits the bill quite nicely. I loved watching Hilary Swank portray Alice Paul because not only did she do it magnificently, it was also a relief to see her not trying to be a boy for a change. Frances O'Connor, as Lucy Burns, made it look so 'easy' to be a heroine by forcing Washington to listen to their cause--right of suffrage for American women. And picketing the White House--during wartime America--has gotta be the focal point of both the movie and the real events that inspired it.

19) Black Hawk Down (2001)
This is here purely for selfish reasons: It's raining men! Josh Hartnett, Orlando Bloom, Ewan McGregor, Eric Bana, Ron Eldard, Ioan Gruffudd, Carmine Giovinazzo, Enrique Murciano. Ahem. Okay, back to Earth. Fantasy-causing reason aside, it's a Ridley Scott film and produced by my friend Jerry B. So what more could you want? So not many people enjoy two hours of whizzing bullets, RPGs launching, 'We got a Black hawk down' squawking on the radio, blown body parts, and dead soldiers. But those are the sounds and sights or war. No use sugarcoating it.

18) Frequency (2000)
There's no denying it, I love Jim Caviezel. That might sound sacrilegious because we all know he played JC. But this was the movie that made me first notice him. Dennis Quaid played his dad and it goes without saying how lovely-looking their family was. Now, what would you do if you found out that you can talk to your father and even yourself from 30 years ago through an old (but the same) ham radio? This film is all about justice and second chances with a sci-fi twist.
17) Crazy/Beautiful (2001)
Teenybopper flicks are not my cup of tea. But there are a handful that standout. Like this one. Kirsten Dunst plays Nicole Oakley, a congressman's daughter who was on the fast track to the crazier side of the crazy life. Then she met and fell (hard) for Jay Hernandez's Carlos Nuñez, a straight A student from a Mexican family, who rode the bus to school and hoped to get into flight school. And while he got crazy about her, beauty's father 'warned' him from her if he wanted to realize his lifelong dream of flying. But love is a powerful thing and by the end of the movie, everybody won.

16) A Walk to Remember (2002)
No need to explain about this Mandy Moore-Shane West flick. Really. If you don't know Jamie Sullivan and Langdon Carter, let me just give you a shoutout: "How was the trip from Mars? Or was it Pluto?" For me, this isn't a teen movie. It just so happened that the story was in a teen setting. No thanks to the efforts of Nicholas Wring-My-Emotions Sparks. But I doubt if it would have been as poignant and packed a lesser wallop had it been written any other way.

15) The Count of Monte Cristo (2002)
My fascination of Jim Caviezel continued as he played Edmond Dantes/the Count of Monte Cristo. Not to mention that I really do worship at the altar of period pieces. From the great storyteller Alexander Dumas (for those who need this newsflash: he wrote The Three Musketeers and The Man in the Iron Mask), it was an instant hit the first time I saw it. And I still love it now--after no less than the fifteen times I've seen it. After all, revenge is a sweet thing.

14) The Harry Potter movies
--The Sorcerer's Stone (2001)
When I went to see the movie, it was pure adventure for me. I had not read the books at the time so I was basically just satisfying my curiosity. What's all the fuss about this kid Harry? But I actually had fun.
--The Chamber of Secrets (2002)
I really had a great time watching this second installment in the series. It was great watching Daniel Radcliffe as Harry, Emma Watson as Hermione, and Rupert Grint as Ron all grown up but at the same time, still oh-so charming as in the first.
--The Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)
Up until the sixth book arrived, the third book was my favorite of all Harry Potter books. Because Sirius Black (played by Gary Oldman) was my most favorite character of all. Admittedly, Alfonso Cuaron did a great job making the transition from a mere kids' movie to a darker (kid's) movie--because no matter how you downplay it, Harry Potter's is really a dark story. But there was just something lacking in it that I could not put a finger on. So I was never able to connect to it as much as I had with the first two.
--The Goblet of Fire (2005)
My most favorite Harry Potter movie yet. It was a wonderful interpretation of the book version. I missed Dobby though but it was understandable. Otherwise the movie would have been more than five hours long. Nevertheless, it captured the most important parts, the ones that matter to prepare us for the next adventure. And all the kids looked all grown-up--and played the part, too, what with the Yule ball and the crushes. Personally, after I saw it I became slightly anxious. The fourth book/movie is the pivotal part of the series. He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named is back. That means three adventures more to go and the next thing we know there'll be no more books/movies to wait for. Anticipation is half the fun--that's part of the charm of this franchise. And I just want it to go on and on and on...

13) Notting Hill (1999)
America's sweetheart Julia Roberts is Anna Scott, the world's sweetheart who falls in love with Hugh Grant's Will Thacker--a travel bookshop owner from Notting Hill. They meet, fall in love, and (surprise!) the paparazzi plays third wheel. The story is all too common in the celebrity world but it was told in funny yet tasteful way there's no way you wouldn't not see it from start to finish. Not to mention that the lead actors are the best in the dramedy genre.

12) Kingdom of Heaven (2005)
Another period piece, another drooling session. Okay. I doubt if Crusaders looked half as good as Orlando Bloom did in the role of Balian. But that's really beside the point. Seriously, this is a wonderfully made movie. The production did an awesome job on the costumes, the sets, and the battle scenes. It was not an us, us, us movie at all and it was great to have had a peek at what was on the other side. You know what I mean, right? (But I won't discuss that point any further because religious statements, no matter how nicely said, almost always get to be taken the wrong way.) Although nothing beats Orli in his tanned glory, another reason to see this movie is Jeremy Irons. As Tiberias, you get to see just how good a thespian he is.
11) Ice Age (2002)
Fun, fun, fun! That's the first thing that comes to mind when I think about the Ice Age experience. The pink little thing made me cry, Diego was a big heart in a fierce persona, Manfred was simply cuddly, and I'm in love with the adorable Sid. And Scrat, my big-eyed, acorn-loving troublemaker always broke the ice. Pun intended. Before a scene got too serious, Scrat would be there and I'd be all smiles again. I have never been a big fan of animated films but I just couldn't refuse this one--and those innuendoes. A certified tae kwon dodo!

10) The Phantom of the Opera (2004)
Musicals are not on top of my weekend movie marathon priorities. But this work of Andrew Lloyd Webber is just the right piece for me to change my mind. It was definitely a breath of fresh air to see Gerard Butler, as the Phantom, singing. And Emily Rossum was just angelic as Christine. I really enjoyed the times I was watching this one, singing along with the soundtrack. "Then say you'll share with me one love, one lifetime..."

9) The Passion of the Christ (2004)
There's no probably in it--this is one of the most controversial film of my generation. And will most likely be for the next several years to come. There's nothing like religion to get people's reactions, violent or otherwise. From the first time I read about it in a Mel Gibson magazine interview several months leading up to its release, I couldn't help but feel interested, awed, intrigued. And rightly so. You almost forget that it was just a movie. But it got its message across--gathering from the atmosphere in theaters, from people in tears after seeing the film, even from the many who thought it was a poor account of what really happened. I was glad the Vatican gave it a thumb's up because even though I'm not even slightly religious, I would certainly would have felt guilty when I say it was rightly done. And now it has become a family staple for Holy Week viewing alongside The Ten Commandment and Ben Hur.

8) The Patriot (2000)
Great plot--another period piece, plus the family story factor: check. Great lines--from drama to humour: check. Great performances--Mel Gibson's is reason enough: check. Hunk red alert--Heath Ledger: a big, fat check!

7) Goal! (2005)
A game-winning Goal! for the makers of the film.

6) Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events (2004)
The books are effing expensive so I guess the movie was the next best thing. I was very intrigued when the trailers of the movie first came out. But I never expected for the movie to be that good. What with the voice of Jude Law as Lemony Snicket, Jim Carrey as Count Olaf, Meryl streep as Aunt Josephine...And the children in it were just fabulous--Emily Browning as Violet, Liam Aiken as Klaus, and Kara and Shelby Hoffman as Sunny (ga!). It wasn't a laugh-my-ass-out kinda fun but a damn-that-felt-good kind.5) Finding Nemo (2003)
Now, I certainly had laugh-my-ass-out moments during this one. Probably 75% of the time was because of the unforgettable (pun not intended) exploits of Dory. From "He went that way. Follow me" to "Conscience, am I dead?" to "...his son Fabio." And there were two Pinoys involved in the animation process--in creating Dory and the fishtank, no less (did you see the bahay kubo?) And the lesson in the story wasn't hidden in some allegorical catch--listen to someone who knows better or suffer the consequences if you do otherwise.

4) Moulin Rouge (2001)
Another musical. But I really don't mind. And although I'm not a sucker for un-happy endings, I guess the movie couldn't have ended any other way. I never thought Ewan McGregor, who played Christian, could sing. If so, not even that well. Same goes for Nicole Kidman, who was Satine. But then again, thespians of this caliber are capable of anything. And so they pulled off those duets gloriously well that it was hard to imagine them not singing in their following films.

3) The X-Men movies
--X-Men (2000)
I watched the first installment the day before mid-terms exams started during one of those college semesters. I couldn't wait for the weekend and had to watch it then and there. It didn't help that when I was young, three years worth of 30-minute Friday evening TV viewings were spent on the X-Men animated show. And the movie version was great. I almost forgot that they had an all-star ensemble because to me, they were just the X-Men. And by the way, I passed my exams.
--X-Men 2: X-Men United (2003)
It was the same cast plus a lot more people. It was more fun--mutants versus humans. But since the humans in this case were of low-as-scum variety, you'd pardon me if I root for the other side. Bad part: Jean Grey died. Good part: Jean Grey died. I just know the writers have something bigger planned for the third and (supposed) last movie. Phoenix , anyone?

2) The Lord of the Rings trilogy
--The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
A couple of months or so before it came out, I started to see it's trailer on just about any channel on TV. Obviously, the whole world was fascinated with the idea of a trilogy coming out December of '01, '02, and '03. By the time I saw the movie, I was caught hook, line, and sinker. And I went crazy about a lot of LOTR stuff. Short of learning the Elvish tongue, I still probably went overboard. Come to think of it, there's an Elvish tongue that--Oookay. Stop.
--The Two Towers (2002)
Another fantastic movie experience. Perhaps for some (me included) it dragged a bit when Treebeard was in the scene but it wasn't his fault if Tolkien wrote him--and the rest of the Ents--that way. But if you were a gazillion years old, you'd probably talk that way, too.
--The Return of the King (2003)
All the people who worked on the trilogy--from the actors to the crew to the seemingly millions of extras--finally got their well deserved, albeit expected, Oscar Best Picture honors in this one. I won't name names because I'm sure each and every one of them did a splendid job wherever aspect of filmmaking they were involved in to piece together this masterpiece. There were two words my cyberfriends described the LOTR: ROTK experience. Some people might get offended by the term so if you wanna know what it is, you can call me, send me a text message or an e-mail, post a comment, what have you.

1) Armageddon (1998)
Ad astra per astera.

There's a good likelihood that all the titles in this list do not appear in a critic's list of favorites but I've never claimed to be one. I just have pure good fun whenever I have the time to watch any of these.

(Originally posted at The Kookie Jar.)

The Genius That's Diane Warren

Who hasn't sung to Christina Aguilera's I Turn To You? Or to Mariah Carey's Can't Take That Away? Or how about Taylor Dayne's Love Will Lead You Back?

A few years back, when I saw a Diane Warren interview on that old CNN music show, CNN Beat, I was like, really? She wrote all those beautiful songs? Not to mention that I was in love with songs such as Toni Braxton's Un-Break My Heart, Aerosmith's I Don't Wanna Miss a Thing (from Armageddon), Trisha Yearwood's How Do I Live (from Con Air), and Celine Dion's Because You Loved Me (from Up Close and Personal). It didn't help any when I learned most of the songs from the motion picture Coyote Ugly, sung by LeAnn Rimes, were also written by Ms Warren--Can't Fight the Moonlight, Please Remember, The Right Kind of Wrong, and But I Do Love You. I just love the movie and the soundtrack.

Even up to now, I still marvel at the way she put words together. I've always thought that the greatest love or the worst tragedy are the only inspirations for an artist. But with all of her songs, I simply doubt that. Because how can one be so brokenhearted as to write Exposè's I'll Say Goodbye For The Two Of Us (from Free Willy), fall in love and pen Another Level's From the Heart (from Notting Hill). Another broken heart, another hit--Eric Clapton's Blue Eyes Blue (from Runaway Bride). A grand passion--Faith Hill's There You'll Be (from Pearl Harbor).

No heart could stand that kind of battering. And Diane Warren has been in the songwriting business for a while now. She did Starship's Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now (from Mannequin), Bad English's When I See You Smile, the multi-covered track I'll Never Get Over You originally by Exposè, and Shanice Wilson's Saving Forever For You (from Beverly Hills 90210).

From the duets Could I Have This Kiss Forever (Whitney Houston and Enrique Iglesias) and Just To Hear You Say That You Love Me (Faith Hill and Tim McGraw); to collaborations like Music of My Heart (N'Sync with Gloria Estefan); to radio staples such as Monica's For You I Will (from Space Jam) and Leigh Nash's Need To Be Next To You (from Bounce); even to a theme song from Atlanta 1996, Gloria Estefan's Reach. She probably didn't intend to but Diane Warren successfully wrote songs that are permanently part of the soundtracks of our lives.

As she said in that interview, she wasn't any good at singing so she turned her hand at writing songs. And, boy, am I thankful for that! Whether I hum to a sad song (like No Mercy's When I Die) or to a ballad that makes me smile (like Edwin McCain's I Could Not Ask For More, which is also a part of the Message in a Bottle soundtrack), whatever inspires her, I thank God for a Diane Warren that put words into songs and emotions into music.

(Originally posted at The Kookie Jar.)

To (Not) Forgive and Forget

The Holy Week is long gone and yet, I'm still stuck thinking about the forgiveness business. Because unlike other Christians, I didn't do much of forgiving during the Lenten season.

Okay, I admit. I'm not a very forgiving person. Those who really know me know that. I'm not ashamed that I've grown up having a hard rime forgiving others. Although I'm not exactly proud of it either. Not holding a grudge is still the furthest thing from my mind. Because I do my best not to callously treat people, I don't appreciate them doing that to me. That's why I don't get it when people act cruelly. It's as if they won't mind if others treat them that away.

But I'm not that unforgiving. When people act too insensitively without knowing it (because, God forgive them, that's just the way they are) or when they say sorry sincerely enough (I know how hard that is), then the only choice is to forgive and forget. No hard feelings. Most likely, they've offended me because they don't know me at all.

It's when people I trust and, I thought, who knew me that I have a hard time looking the other way. Why be so mean? I didn't do anything wrong to them. Why manufacture lies about me? I'm just living my life. Aha, I know! They just enjoy being the conniving, backstabbing, avaricious, scum-of-the-earth, low-as-shit, two-faced, asshole-ish jerks of a dickhead kind that they are. They can grovel (fat chance!) or cry blood (yeah, right--it's not blood that runs in their veins) but I still won't forgive them. No, wait. Maybe after seventy-five years I'll start contemplating about forgiving them.

I know. B-I'm b-such b-a b-bitch. I'm may be beyond redemption. But I hope The Man Upstairs will forgive those who intentionally transgress against me, my family, and my friends. I sure as hell can't. Even after, say, seventy-five years and half a second later (because that's all the time I need to 'contemplate' about forgiving them).

(Originally posted at The Kookie Jar.)

Goal!

Let's make this clear right now, I'm going to be biased from start to finish of this entry. From the title alone you can conclude that I'd have an attack of footballitis. Which I did the first time I heard they were going to make a trilogy of the beautiful game. And for the better part of the year I went gaga waiting for the first installment to come out.

When the first trailer aired, I went terminal gaga. From the looks of it, it was going to be one heck of a movie. And the actor playing the lead role also caught me by surprise. When reports of the movie first came out, Diego Luna (Y Tu Mama Tambien) was said to be playing the football hopeful. It definitely wasn't him when I first saw the trailer. But why was he so familiar? And then it clicked. He was that two-faced lout in Imagining Argentina. Believe me, if he was a convincing jerk then Kuno Becker played Santiago Muñez to a T. He was just smoking hot in his shaved head and he genuinely looked like an old pro tackling that football around.

Probably the reason why football is such a huge sport is because it reaches the grassroots in society. Many of its stars don't come from prominent backgrounds. You get in by pure talent. That's what happened to Santiago. When he was discovered by a former scout and got invited to try out for Newcastle United he didn't waste any time flying to England to do just that. He might have been a star in his local team in the suburbs of Los Angeles but unfortunately for Santi, he didn't come up to par when he played in the Magpies' Reserve Team.As fate would have it, he was presented another chance just when he thought he was given his walking papers. He struggles to stay in the squad amid his father's disapproval, his asthma attacks, his own realization that football is a team sport, and English football's notorious clubbing scenes--he met Galacticos Raul, Zizou and (ahem!) Becks in one of those. My fave scene was when he learned he wasn't in the Reserves' starting line-up--only to find out that he was going to be playing with the big boys. What could be cooler than playing the midfield with former England captain, striker Alan Shearer, at St. James' Park?

That was when the real adventure began. And it won't take a football expert to see how much an adventure it was to watch a rising star play against giants Liverpool and Chelsea. If that's not enough, you ought to watch just to see how great a work the editing team did during those matches. Clips from real Newcastle matches were cleverly worked into the film (yes, you can see rival clubs' players the likes of Frankie Lampard and Stevie G running the pitch) that it was too easy to forget that Santiago Muñez was a fictional character and what I was watching was a fictional game. Can't wait for the next two installments.

(Originally posted at The Kookie Jar.)

Navy SEAL Team Sixteen Series

By Suzanne Brockmann

I cannot believe that after close to two years of endless browsing in a number of bookshops and their dusty bookstands, my collection of this six-part series is complete. Finally! Having to always pray that luck will be with me when I go bookhunting, I was so stunned when I found the last book missing in my collection--(book 3) Over the Edge. I couldn't believe what I found until I got home and started reading it.

(Book 1) The Unsung Hero was my very first mainline Brockmann novel. I didn't even notice I had other two Brockmann novels up until I put it with the rest of my books. I found it on sale in September 2003. (And now I have, like, a lot.) It was just a random book I picked from the rack because I couldn't find anything else that I thought would be a good read. And after reading about L.T. (that's Lt. Tom Poaletti to you) and Kelly, I was hooked. And the rest was one abso-f*cking-lutely beautiful history.

Well, I found the story of Nilsson and Meg next (book 2, The Defiant Hero). Although theirs was a beautiful story, this was where I really got to know my favorite characters of the series--Sam and Alyssa. (I'm grinning here just thinking about MY Sam.) And as I've said, I just found (book 3) Over the Edge, the story of Stan and Teri. Theirs was undoubtedly a good story but the book is very important for another reason: it's The Goblet of Fire for Sam and Alyssa's story. (Read the book for explanation.)

Wildcard and Savannah's story is in the fourth book, Out of Control. Next to Sam, Wildcard is my next favorite character in the series. One of the reasons why I like Ms Brockmann's mainline novels is because she puts in other stories of other characters who are somehow related to one of the main characters. The author being a "double-yew double-yew eye eye" junkie, these add-on stories are set in the WWII time--whether they are about the men of Tuskegee or the battles in the Pacific or in Normandy. In this one, it's Savannah's grandma's story as a 'Nazi' spy and an Austrian prince living as a Nazi while spying for the Allies. Theirs is my fave WWII story in this collection. (And by the way, four books down but Tom and Kelly are still not married.)

Suzanne Brockmann never disappoints and tackles just about any topic. She did just that in (book 5) Into the Night--when she puts in a colored character in the story (very hard to find in the romance novel scene). A colored Muslim more importantly. This might be Muldoon and Joan's love story but for me, the highlights in this book are the points tackling on terrorism and the stereotyping of Muslims.

And the last installment in the series is the most anticipated (book 6) Gone Too Far. Okay, so I'm biased about the book. (No kidding.) This is Sam and Alyssa's story hence my favorite (hence the best). But somehow it also gave some sense of closure to some of the stories from the previous books and finally, finally, Kelly ties the knot with Tom. (Two thumbs up to the CO!)

You might be thinking it's the end. Yeah, right. The Navy SEALs Team 16 series, yes. Their stories, nuh-uh. (More of Sam Starett and his colorful, salty-as-the-sea vocabulary.) Got another series to follow: Troubleshooters, Inc. It's the now married former Navy Commander Tom Paoletti leading the pack again--but this time, operating as a civilian. Tough. Old characters, new characters. Same staff, new clusterf*cked sit-reps. The second book is out this month. Can't wait.

(Originally posted at The Kookie Jar.)

Living Goldenballs--My 7th Red Devil

David Beckham's notoriety due to his sending off in the 1998 World Cup did earn him the title the Bad Boy of England. But that only added to his appeal. (Wasn't James Dean a bad boy himself?) Practically all of England hated him for 'costing' them the country's chances in the tournament. But his fellow Manchester United and England teammate Phil Neville predicted that an even better David Beckham would come out because of the incident. And he was right. In true Beckham fashion, he emerged from the shadow of that red card like the true warrior he was--and still is.

And so my sports news viewing took a dramatic turn in '98. Every other sports news and scores took a backseat--behind Becks news and ManUnited match results. But it irked me to think that I wasn't a Becks fan way back in the '96/'87 season. Because that was when he scored a goal from the halfway line. They were playing against Wimbledom and out of the blue, the young talent scored from sixty yards out. Poor keeper! But thanks to Beckham-mania these days, footage of that wonderful goal is frequently being replayed on different sports programs. And it never fails to put a smile on my face!

Manchester United FC's home pitch, the Old Trafford, soon became my football home. It wasn't difficult to do that. ManUnited was the reigning club in England leading up to the new millennium. Which wasn't really a big surprise since majority of the squad were composed of the winners of the 1994 FA Youth Cup--veterans of the club's youth academy. Talents the likes of Ryan Giggs, Nicky Butt, brothers Gary and Phil Neville, and David Beckham kept the Red Devils on top form. The last had already been recognized as Young Footballer of the Year by both SkySports/Panasonic and the PFA (his peers) in 1996; and he was honored with the prestigious Sir Matt Busby Award the same year.

Up until the 2002-2003 season, ESPN Asia was only showing matches from the Spanish La Liga and the Italian Serie A. So I had to settle for their UEFA Champions League coverage to see ManUnited play live. True to Phil Neville's word, Becks didn't disappoint after the England tragedy of '98. The '98/'99 season was a monster season for his club. They had already won a domestic Double--the Premiership title was wrapped up on May 13 and they defeated Newcastle United on May 22 to lift the FA Cup--and they still had a chance to win a unique Treble. All throughout their Champions League campaign that year I had been waking up at odd hours in the morning ready to celebrate a ManUnited win, content myself with a draw, or suffer a loss.

I was ready for anything on May 22nd 1999, a Wednesday. I set my alarm clock for the usual two o'clock wake-up call. I still don't know what happened but I just snoozed back after it rang. The next thing I knew it was almost four in the morning. I dreaded opening the TV set because I had the feeling that Bayen Munich was already lifting the silverware. My dread was not unfounded, after all. When I tuned in to the match, the Red Devils were a goal down since the sixth minute and there were only five minutes left in regulation. What we needed was a miracle.

That Thursday morning (Philippine time), the Red Devils gave me my most memorable club football match yet. Just when the German fans were about to celebrate, Becks sent in a corner that lead to a goal by substitute Teddy Sheringham to level the game. Even before the tens of thousands of spectators at Barcelona's Estadio Nuo Camp could recover from that first ManUnited goal, another Becks corner found sub Ole Gunnar Solksjaer for the winning goal. A few seconds later, the ref blew the final whistle. As a football fan, it was hard watching the anguish of the Bayern Munich players. But as a ManUnted fan, I was all smiles! Miracles do happen--even in injury time. The conquerors of England were the Champions of Europe.

In 1999, Becks was recognized as Europe's Most Valuable Player and was voted the second best in the world. For the next four years, he would help ManUnited win more games and fill the club's silverware cabinet. But then, what do you expect from someone who inherited the number seven ManUnited jersey from one of the greatest footbal legends, Eric Cantona, as well as named after ManUnited and England legend, Sir Bobby Charlton? The Bad Boy of England had redeemed himself--and had become the Golden Boy of Old Trafford.

(Originally posted at The Kookie Jar.)

Our Own Personalized Blackhole

What if Eve didn't listen to the Devil's tempting offer of the forbidden fruit? (Or are you one of those people who aren't disturbed by the fact that a snake talked?) The Earth would be the paradise we live in. Truthfully, we wouldn't be suing each other over a piece of land--or some such pathetic reason.

Just imagine these. We wouldn't have home games to cheer on and visiting teams to jeer on. Your latest celebrity crush would be the nameless boy you just passed on your way to somewhere. (That is, if crushes exist.) We wouldn't notice that he and millions of others are actually hunks that don't wear a stitch of clothing on.

Our idea of an action movie would probably be a predator-hunting-prey in a safari. The tearjerker? The multicoloured stretch of different blooms basking in the glory of the sun. The waterfalls, the chirping of the birds, the laughter of everyone else around. We wouldn't need a master songwriter to create beautiful music. I guess, we would have missed much of what we have now.

In all honesty, I would give anything to have missed much. Because then we wouldn't have gone through the Black Plague, the First and Second World Wars, or be smack right in the middle in what seems to be the third. There wouldn't have been a web of terrorist networks and snakes would not be the walking variety. I'd pass up on the opportunity to see those bared washboard abs (huh! as if washboard abs would even be a part of my/our vocabulary) if it meant not having suffering, poverty, famine, and disease.

But Eve did eat that apple. And we are in the now of our miserable existence. What's the use of having all shallow, materialistic pleasures when we can't seem to stop killing each other? Or worse, even killing has become a pleasure for some. Do we still have hope that this evil we brought on ourselves will ever stop? I hope so. Because we are mired in our pitiful slow deaths without even knowing it. I hope we realise that soon enough or it will be too late. It almost is.

(Originally posted at The Kookie Jar.)

Lost and Found

It's amazing how some things change just when we thought it would stay the same forever. Most of the time, it shocks us to the point of hurting ourselves more by thinking of the sweet, tender moments never to be recaptured.

I felt a tremendous loss when a very close friend lost a mother to cancer. It was an unthinkable thought. And I admire her for the strength and courage she had shown through the whole ordeal. How can one ever stand burying a parent?

Looking at my grandparents, I see a life of growing old together--and a child lost. I was just nine when my uncle died and yet, I still feel the emptiness every time I think of him. Thirteen years, not even fifty, won't ever heal this wound. How can parents stand the thought of never seeing their child again?

Breaking up with someone was painful enough for a friend. Months later, he lost her to rape and murder. Life is hell with all the what-ifs and what-could-have-beens. How can a lover bury three years worth of memories and dashed hopes of reconciliation? And how come he was so willing to die for love but not live for it?

My sisters and I were told about him as soon as we were old enough to understand--he came into this world a stillborn. I never held his hand but somehow I always think of him. How can I miss a brother I never even met?

But life is nothing but borrowed time. We really don't have a say when God wants it back. We need only to live this gift and at the same time, endure the loss of it. Because in the blinding glare of darkness and the defeaning silence that meet our questions, there is the promise of paradise where the days are sweetest, where we all see lost loved ones again and this time, live together forever in His glory.

(Originally posted at The Kookie Jar.)

Living Goldenballs--In The Beginning

February 16, 1998 was the Monday after prom weekend and I guess the affair was too much for me; I got myself a fever and had to stay home for the day. Of course, as a fifteen-year old, my idea of a rest was to lie about and watch TV. Which I did and ended up with me watching a Spice Girls concert on HBO. An hour and a half later, after two and and a half years of indifference to the globally famous fivesome, I was impressed. There was more to the girls than phenomenal marketing.

So when I got back from school the next day, I was blabbering about how great the show was. Then a friend let it slip that one of them (Posh, to be exact) happened to be dating a football player. Sports(-men) enthusiast that I am, and a sucker for romance, I couldn't not research that.

I was no stranger to sports news. I checked nightly to see the latest scores in basketball and baseball. In short, I lived by them. So it was no effort to check out this popstar-dating footballer. As the number one sport in the world, football (some aliens call it soccer) and its many clubs were always in the headlines. England's Manchester United was no different. And the first time I saw up and coming talent David Beckham and the then sun-bleached hair, I was a goner. There was no turning back. (Unfortunately for my friends, that was the start of my Beckham-worship; and it hasn't stopped or waned since.) And I saw more of him that summer because it was World Cup year. Admittedly, I didn't even know he was in the England squad until the tournament started.

As my first World Cup, France '98 was a memorable one (primarily because I won a bet as to who would win the finals--whoever heard of someone betting against the Brazilians?). But there is a memory there worth forgetting. England's quarterfinal clash against Argentina ended as a nightmare for the squad and its fans. But more so for a twenty-three-year old midfielder. After a tackle against Argentine defender Diego Simeone, Beckham was red carded and it was downhill for English lads from there. Ten-man England was eliminated and I finally realized just how much of a demi-religion football was to many people. Branded as the new Bad Boy of England, Becks became a target of football hooliganism. His family, even his grandmother, received threats.

That incident became a shadow in the Beckham history--for a few weeks, that is. Even the man himself admitted that it changed him for the better. Later that year he was recognized as Europe's Most Valuable Player and Best Midfielder. Looking back, he has redeemed himself in the eyes of his fans and critics alike in more ways than one. I'm just glad to have witnessed it--it made the better moments all the sweeter. It was a rough start but he was able to get back on his feet. I remember when he...Nah, that's another story.

(Originally posted at The Kookie Jar.)

Armageddon

Weather and technical problems keep pushing Discovery's launch date back--that's been on the news for days now. I was thinking, what if this happened in the movie Armageddon? What then? Will they still risk it? And I woke up. Hello?! It was just a movie. There are no weather or technical problems in movies unless they are in the plot. Duh!

I admit, I've seen the movie so many times it's like it actually happened. Right. As if NASA would send a bunch of rednecks into space to save the Earth. Boo-hoo! But this is my blog so I can say anything I damned well want to. So let me say this now: Armageddon is the best movie ever! The one that will take it's place in my all-time faves list has not been created yet--or maybe not ever.

Not a lot of people agree with me but I don't care. Saving the world has never been fun than in this one. And the President's speech before lift off, although not up to par to Patton's opening, was great--you can never hear that anywhere else these days. Trust me.

Saving the world is always a great plot. But when you put a touchy family story in it, it makes one helluva movie. Bruce Willis makes an amazing out-of-touch (and not so mature) dad in this. For me, this has been his best movie since Die Hard. Liv Tyler gave a beautiful performance in this flick. I mean, if those beautiful eyes start to brim with tears and you don't feel like crying, I have four words for you: 'You're made of stone!' And don't forget Ben Affleck. Ben, Ben, Ben. He's just amazing from the oil rig to the cracker scene to the part where Harry (Willis) took his place as the one to be left on the asteroid to detonate the bomb. Nothing melts hearts more than a hunk in tears.

All in all, characters were played to a tee that it's difficult to imagine that Steve "Rockhound" Buscemi isn't really a genius. And the cosmonaut who thought that Evil Knievel was from Star Wars? He gave me one very memorable line: 'American components. Russian components. All made in Taiwan!' Ain't that the truth, buster!

If you've not seen the movie, you're nuts! If you have and didn't like it, you might wanna see it again just in case you missed something. If you really don't like it, no big deal. We're not leaving you on the asteroid. For those who did like it, I might be having my dose of the movie this weekend so call me if you're free.

(Originally posted at The Kookie Jar.)

My All-Time Favorite Music Videos

(1) Babe by Take That

This is my most favorite video by my all-time favorite boyband, Take That. Mark Owen was on lead vocals as well as played the main character in the video. He portrayed a soldier coming home from war to find that he had a young son. I cried the first time I saw the video way, way back. That was then and now, with the ongoing war in the Middle East, the scenes in this video has become increasingly important and poignant through time.

(2) This I Promise You by N'Sync

I fell in love with the song long before the video came out. But then the Richard Marx, who produced the song, never disappoints in his works. But there's something about the different stories portrayed in this vid. And the group's forest scene was different from the usual black-and-white ballads scenes. One thing's for sure--when it comes to music vids, N'Sync always came up to par.

(3) Goodbye by the Spice Girls

What is it with goodbyes? Basically, there was no farewell scene in this one but considering the fact that this was the Spice Girls' first video as a foursome makes it one of their most memorable. From those huskies and Rolls Royces at the start of the video until the end, it shows a softer side of the girls. And lest I forget: Posh was pregant with Brooklyn in this one. How's that for a reason?

(4) Coming Home Now by Boyzone

Through the years, Boyzone has made numerous vids and if I really wanted to this list would be full of them. But only this one sticks out the most for me. The group was still young (the single being from their first album), still looking fresh and far from the superstar aura they would later have. There was also something about the scenes of them walking the streets of Dublin that always make me think back to the days prior to boyband frenzy.

(5) I Don't Want to Miss a Thing by Aerosmith

This is a no brainer. Armageddon is my all-time favorite movie so it's only natural that I would like something from its soundtrack. Never having the chance to witness the heyday of Aerosmith, I was more than grateful for this offering. One of music history's greatest rock and roll bands in a futuristic setting equals an explosive hit!

(6) Thinking of You (Drive Myself Crazy) by N'Sync

As I've said, N'Sync has a knack about making videos. This single was one of the group's earlier hits and was also an instant hit for me the first time I saw it. We rarely see ballads portrayed in crazy videos like this one--and with a funny twist to boot. And guys in straightjackets or in padded rooms because of love? Cute!

(7) Graduation (Friends Forever) by Vitamin C

At a time when artists (and labels) wanted to be a part of the Y2K and the Millenium craze, this Vitamin C vid was a breath of fresh air. The storyline in it was great, the featured couple were hot (tsss!) and the vivid, bright colors of high school made a bittersweet backdrop especially to newly graduated high school students (which I happened to be when the single came out). 'As we go on, we remember...'

(8) There You'll Be by Faith Hill

The studios might have been disappointed by Pearl Harbor's performance in the box office but Faith Hill scored a big hit in this single. Diane Warren knows hot to put the words together (but that's a different story) and when sung by one of country's greatest: Another chart-topper, hands down. The war backdrop was good and Faith Hill (whom I've never seen look bad on screen or in print) was even better. Tim McGraw is one lucky guy!

(9) Leaving on a Jet Plane by Chantal Kreviazuk

Who said that you really need a big budget to create a blast of a video? This had Chantal Kreviazuk playing the piano in a studio with Armageddon on the reel in the background. Who would ask for more? So, okay. I'm probably biased because this is part of the soundtrack of that movie again. But I must say that it might not have had the same impact if it were made another way.

(10) Let Love Lead the Way by the Spice Girls

The Spice Girls and the elements. The concept of the video showed a much, much more sophisticated and grown-up members of the group. Obviously, there were no more table-dancing and no more platform shoes. This video was their last and for me, one of the best. I don't know if they can score a comeback--not just the four, but all five together--but nevertheless, they've made their mark in history. Girl Power indeed!

(Originally posted at The Kookie Jar.)

Confessions of a Movie Junkie

Another week has ended and another is yet to start. As usual, I am looking forward to one filled with movies. (No, I don't lead a monotonous life--I listen to a variety of music and I read books. But the movies is one of the few constants in my life.) I am not highly critical of the ones I watch. I appreciate anything that contains great plots, great lines, great performances, and--just between the two of us--great-looking guys. In each of the movies in my current favorites list, you can find three of those "greats" and if luckier, all four. And I'm an easy one to please which, in turn, made making the list an effortless task.

I was just enjoying my all-time fave Armageddon for the nth time (I lost count after 10) when I suddenly realized that yup! you are now officially a movie junkie. I always feel so excited whenever I hear of an interesting, and sometimes just an ordinary, new movie. Knowing how much I don't dig the cinemas anymore (I prefer the quiet and comfort of the couch at home than suffer through PhP120 worth of ringing cellphones and crinkling junk food bags), I'll say the movie has to be epic battle/classic period piece/Orlando Bloom-interesting for it to be worthy of that PhP120 package and if it just isn't your day, it'll even come with softdrink-slurping sounds within your three-foot radius. Ugh!

Movie junkie-hood calls for you to be patient. Can you sit through a boring movie (can sometimes contain scenes that are too violent, stories that drag on forever, abysmal acting and the like) line after pathetic line in the hopes of finding one single saving grace? If the answer is yes, you're deserving of a I-keep-the-movie-industry-going badge. My worst: Spring Break Lawyer. Trust me, I wanted to go amnesiac by the time the credits rolled. Now that I think about it, I wonder why I didn't go catatonic at the shock from the experience.

And you know you've arrived at movie junkie-dom when you take note of every movie you've seen (even jotting them down) and you create lists of your top favorites by weighing them down in a scale from one to ten--where ten is boiling hot and one is dead cold. Armageddon I gave a ten although I think it's deserving of a 23 or maybe a 24. And Spring Break Lawyer got a respectable -812 or thereabouts.

Don't get me wrong though. I am not a sophisticated movie critic (can't stomach those peeps) nor a movie maniac extraordinaire. I've yet to see The Godfather movies and I'm dying to watch Casablanca (don't they rent them out anymore?). And I take celebrity matters too personally e.g. I've boycotted (at least, paying for them--wait until they are on cable) Tom Cruise films since the divorce. Definitely no sophisticate here. But the movies have been and will always be the place I go to when I need an escape from the harsh reality of our times. And I somehow think that in the business we call life, having a moment to escape--where it be the movies or a trip to your favorite nook in your house--is the only saving grace. But then again, the satisfaction you get seeing something wonderful or from hacking a really ugly one to pieces is always priceless.

(Originally posted at The Kookie Jar.)