Beyond Screens and Covers

Genghis Khan: Conqueror of Kings, Emperor of All Men

noreply@blogger.com (camsy garcia) — Thu, 07 Aug 2014 00:37:00 +0000

Honor, family, loyalty and betrayal

The film starts with the leaders of opposing tribes agreeing to stage a contest and agreed by all, the winner will become the ruler of the land. Temujin, who was representing his father's tribe, won the contest but without strength or much skill but through his intelligence.

However, Burchou, one of the leaders of the competing tribes, follows his ambitious assistant's advice and breaks his promise. One night, he ordered his army to attack Temujin's tribe and to kill all including Temujin's father but Temujin managed to escape.

Temujin, starved and thirsty, defends himself from Burchou's soldiers chasing after him into the mountains. From a sly and cunning competitor, exposes himself as an intelligent and a worthy leader, shooting improvised arrows and pushing rocks against his enemies. Eventually, he is captured by one of Burchou's soldiers and returns him to his tribe to claim his throne and defeat Burchou in order to unite the Mongolian tribes.

Although the film was said to have budgetary limits, stones rolling over the mountains like it were weightless, or the wardrobe and hairstyles, i find the film exciting and it amused me.

The narrative has its ability to resonate with its audience despite of its budgetary limits and this makes the film enduring. Fortunately, the story and its performances has strength and it smoothed out the rough edges of the film itself.

“On this battlefield, man has no better weapon than his intelligence, no other force but his heart.” -Dr. Jose Rizal

noreply@blogger.com (camsy garcia) — Tue, 05 Aug 2014 15:55:00 +0000

The movie served as a highlight of what the Filipinos experienced during the Spanish times. The torture, the inequality between the indios and mestizos, and the struggles of the Philippines in the hands of the Spaniards. It also showed the "patriotism" that was induced in every Filipino's mind.

Some scenes in the movie were from one of his novels, Noli Me Tangere (Touch Me Not) which also showed how the Filipino suffered from the hilaw invaders. Like the friar who rapes a woman and beats a little boy because he was accused of stealing.

I like the part where Paciano told Pepe that he should go to Europe to continue his studies there and to freely write about the Philippines' condition. And Rizal did what Paciano said so. He did what Paciano and his comrades wanted.

My favorite scene in the movie was when Teodora told the story of the moth and the lamp to the young Pepe. Sadly, Rizal became the moth (gamu-gamo) who came near to the lamp's fire and burned himself. Like the moth, Rizal went near to the flame even if he knew it was dangerous. He wrote Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, novels depicting the cruelty and injustice of the Spanish government. His defiance then led him to his death. Also, when Luis Taviel, who has been appointed to defend Rizal on his trial, admitted that he is ashamed of being a Spaniard.

The actors did well on portraying every role especially Cesar Montano as Jose Rizal. The movie was Marilou Abaya's obra maestra.

Reading Between the Lines

noreply@blogger.com (camsy garcia) — Mon, 26 Aug 2013 07:23:00 +0000

“There's always SOMETHING after happily ever after.” ― Arthur Phillips, The Song is You

What happens when happily ever after isn't?
What happens after 'happily ever after'?

When I read the summary at the back cover of Between The Lines by Jodi Picoult and Samantha van Leer, questions about 'happily ever after' took me to my widest and wildest imaginations.

At first, when I saw this book, not totally hated it, but I just don't feel like reading it or anything. I was like actually judging this book by its cover. But when I started reading it, I was amazed because there are two stories in it. The stories are interconnected and that's what makes it unique compared to other books i have read.

In the story, Delilah is a bit of a loner and prefers spending time with books, one in particular, at the school library. Between the Lines may be a fairy tale, but it feels real. Prince Oliver is courageous, adventurous and loving. He really speaks to Delilah.

And then one day, Oliver actually speaks to her. Turns out, Oliver is more than a one-dimensional storybook prince. Oliver is more of a one-dimensional fairy tale prince. He's a restless teenager who feels trapped by his literary role and hates that his entire life only circles around the story. He wanted to get out of the book and see what the real world offers him.

He's sure that there's more for him outside his world, and Delilah might be the key to his freedom. They work together and figure out how Oliver will get out of the book.

And as their attraction to each other grows along the way, a romance blooms that is anything but a fairy tale.

The Oliver-Delilah love story is just extraordinary, even though it's just a fictional love story, it's not your 'typical' fictional romance. You'll surely love this book. A page-turner. The book also has an amazing illustrations like the ones in a real fairytail book.

P.S : To the bookworms out there, if you're interested to read this book, feel free to contact me on Facebook, here's my account: http://www.facebook.com/camsyohyeah
(strictly to the members of the CvSU-Main's ABJORN and BAMC only)

The 'Other' World

noreply@blogger.com (camsy garcia) — Thu, 18 Jul 2013 15:27:00 +0000

"In books I have traveled, not only to other worlds, but in my own." - Anna Quindlen, Novelist

Reading is essential to every human. One cannot communicate without even knowing how to read, and write also. It does help you form a better you. It lets you explore every inch of the world you never knew existed. Maybe that's the reason why God created books, it definitely beats boredom. It takes you to an extraordinary realm where you can make an impossible existence, liveable.

Books are not just made up of words, but it is filled with places to visit and lots of people to meet. It boosts your imagination to the nth power and inner passion for creativity.

"Don't judge the book by it's cover", literally speaking, believe them when they say it. There's more beyond the covers of a book. The author/writer grants you the honor to give the book a life and it will take you to a wonderful journey you have probably never been.

According to Anne Fadiman, an author, editor and a teacher, if you're a book lover, you sleep with your book; write in it; read aloud from it; and fill its pages with muffin or bread crumbs. If you have done all of that or at least one of it, well I now welcome you to the club.

This blog will share my insights about the books that I've read and the films I've watched. Books and films have a lot to tell us, and I'm a super fan of books and films, so I hope my blog can help you with something.

The picture above is from the book I'm currently reading. It is entitled "L.A Candy" by Lauren Conrad. When I finish it, I'll make a review about the novel. This is an interesting story and the plot is amazing. Lauren Conrad deserves a clap clap. Watch out for my reviews! And welcome to my 'world'. Ciao!

P.S. This is just the beginning...