Dunaism

The Hunger Games movie review

2012-03-23T07:22:00.001-07:00

I read all three books prior to watching the movie and loved all of them. The core of the book is not love nor adventure but the will of the oppressed to get free. Somehow I pictured the Philippines own Mockingjay former President Cory Aquino on stage in front of millions of Filipinos on a simple yellow dress inspiring the entire nation to revolt against a dictator.

I waited for the movie and hoped that it is as good as the actors described. I’m somehow disappointed because the story is perfect for a big budget spectacular movie but chose to make it artistic. It would have been great to make an epic movie that will not only feed the movie goers’ thirst for adrenaline but bring the audience to an emotional rollercoaster.

Twilight has an independent film feel to it. It only grossed 90M in the box office. When they changed the director and went all out for New Moon, the appeal changed and it reflected on the ticket sales.

While I appreciate that Gary Ross tried so hard to make the movie on Katniss’ point of view, I feel that stories like The Hunger Games deserve mind blowing visuals. Watch Danny Boyle’s 127 hours to see how he kept the movie on James Franco’s point of view yet the visuals are still mind blowing.

It is the Director’s job to introduce Panem to the World. I believe Gary Ross failed. I hope Gary Ross will do much better to introduce Panem and all its districts on Catching Fire when Katniss and Peeta do their tour. Pixomondo (visual effects for The Hunger Games) might have sent their best to work in Hugo and the great Martin Scorsese. Lionsgate, you better contact a new visual effects company. Try ringing Weta Digital, they specialize in Epic movies.

The independent film approach is just not meant to be used on this kind of story. It’s like the Transformers were made by the director of Tree of Life.

Separately, the Tree of Life and Transformers are amazing. They cater to different types of audiences. The Hunger Games demographic is mainly teens. They worked so hard to keep it PG13 yet the movie was made to please the critics.

Artistically, the movie is great. However, with the mall tours and media attention, obviously the objective is ticket sales. If the objective is commercial, the movie should have been commercial.

The artistry should have been focused on intense moments like, Katniss volunteering for Prim, Katniss and Peeta on the roof, Rue’s death, Cato’s death, Katniss, Peeta and the Nightlock and the interviews with Ceasar Flickerman played by the amazing Stanley Tucci.

The shaking camera is perfect to show intensity, rush and panic. However, if the entire film is shot with a shaking camera, it loses its effect. Somehow those intense moments were lost in the movie.

With all these said, Jennifer Lawrence is definitely perfect for Katniss. Josh Hutcherson did great to play Peeta. Liam Hemsworth was forgettable. Woody Harrelson and Stanley Tucci can never disappoint me. I love Lenny Kravitz shiny eye shadow! :)

Gary Ross, I liked the movie but I wanted my mind blown away. Lionsgate, please give Gary Ross enough budget to blow my mind for Catching Fire and Mockingjay.

Dave Chappelle

2012-01-30T03:19:00.000-08:00

Where the fuck is Dave Chappelle? I just saw his For What It’s Worth comedy special. This guy is talented. I remember he was in the news years ago for disappearing and missing his shows. Rumor says he’s gone crazy. Or, maybe he just got tired of being on the spotlight.

Pardon me miss. I don’t mean to be rude, but do you suck balls?

-Dave Chapelle

The Descendants

2012-01-29T06:27:00.000-08:00

I was in the middle of a Hawaii Five O marathon when I heard about this movie. I didn’t pay much attention because I only liked George Clooney in the Ocean series and The Ides of March. This changed when I learned about their Golden Globe nominations.

It’s a story about the life of Matt King, a descendant of a Hawaiian Princess 2 years after his wife had a boating accident. He was left to take care of his daughters Scottie and Alex. Alex then revealed that his wife was cheating on him. The movie revolves around how he builds a relationship with his daughters whom he barely saw before his wife’s accident. He finally enjoys the company of his daughters while looking for the guy his wife cheated him with.

Shailene Woodley and Amara Miller both did an excellent job in this movie. I love how real they talk. American movies rarely show kids cursing but real kids have the nastiest language.

One scene reminded me of the time a guy told on me after I flipped him. I was Scottie when I was younger. The differences between us were, I was not going through something tragic, no one dared to ask me to apologize and I stayed the same.

While the movie is all about betrayal and impending death of a loved one, it is not gloomy. It is funny, entertaining and heartbreaking all at the same time. I laugh whenever I see Matt King run. He portrays an old haole really good. He reminds me of the old haole retirees here in the Philippines from his Hawaii shirts, shorts, slippers and that ridiculous run!

Of course, Hawaii is beautiful. I also love that both Hawaii Five O and The Descendants show how much Hawaiians care for their land.

Mahalo and Aloha!

Curiosity is the purest form of insubordination

2011-10-05T23:34:00.000-07:00

I don't have a filter and I ask a lot of questions. Sometimes, people feel attacked when I ask questions. It may be because of my choice of words. I really can't blame them. I do sound accusatory sometimes.

I can't control their feelings and I still can't figure out how people can translate a simple statement or question to accusations. Sometimes people think too much and they feel guilty about things they shouldn't feel guilty about.

On one of those days I am in the mood to ask questions, someone interpreted them as "blame". How? I still can't figure it out. I grew up alone and I don't really have much practice with making people understand me. If people understood what I was trying to say, good. If they don't, I assume they are stupid. Ces't la vie.

"think positive. stop blaming. that's the secret right?"

Wrong. the Secret is feeling good about the things you think. Thinking positive doesn't work if you still feel the worry, fear and anger. The universe will still give you the things you are worried about, things you fear and things that makes you angry.

The movie specifically said if you shout out the things you don't want, that's thinking positive but it won't work. The secret is to feel good about the things around you and good things will come to you.

Sometimes what you feel doesn't translate to spoken words. The best thing about the Secret is you know what you feel, you know what you mean and you know what you want. People may not understand what you are asking for but that doesn't matter because they won't give you your dreams, the universe will.

The movie didn't say anything about blame. In fact, when you have a problem, blame someone or something and move on. That works.

Master Manipulator

2011-10-05T23:02:00.000-07:00

May kilala ka bang mga taong mahilig humingi ng favor pero they make you offer instead of explicitly ask for a favor?

Scenario: We have an out of town trip, everybody confirmed attendance but one. She said she'll think about it.

The day before the trip, I asked "are you coming with us?" She said, "I really want to but I can't."

I would have accepted that answer because I couldn't care less if she came or not but she's still looking at me like we had to continue with that conversation.

My very polite alter ego came over and asked, "why not?"

She said, "I really want to go but I don't have the budget for it."

That was a very logical excuse and very acceptable. But she wasn't making an excuse. While saying it she was looking at me like she's the most pittiful human being. She tried to use her very best puppy-dog eyes.

I wanted to say, "Ok then. Maybe next time." but my very-polite-alter-ego-almost-Canadian responded with "I can loan you some money if you really want to go." I hope she noticed the 'if' part. In my head, I was begging her to deny my offer at least once so I can take my offer back.

Unfortunately, she immediately said "Talaga? Thank You ha!" I smiled.

I regret ever asking why she can't come but I still smiled. The way she manipulated me to giving her money was amusing. I recognize the pattern. I used that sometimes but not as shameless. I usually use the "Are you sure?" phrase after the offer to make sure the person offering is committed. But she's different. Shameless.

From then on, I tried to suffocate my polite alter ego. I can't kill her but I can at still hide her where she can rarely see daylight.

I still see people try it on me. Mention inconveniences, mention things they need or want and look at me waiting for an offer. That offer won't come. I will simply acknowledge the problem but not offer any help.

I won't give help unless asked and only if I really wanted to. I am evil that way.

disclaimer: This happened years ago. If you are my friend, don't worry, it's not you.

If you belong to the magical world of TV and movies, what's your character?

2011-10-05T22:59:00.000-07:00

Earlier today, we were talking about which House we'll be in if we attended Hogwart's. Someone said we belong in Slytherin because we are wicked. I kind of agree but I still want to be in Gryffindor for the glory or in Ravenclaw for the exclusivity. Slytherin might think they are exclusive because of the pureblood thing but Severus Snape got in and he's half-blood. Anyways, I think Ravenclaw is the most exclusive because you can't come in unless you answer a riddle. Love it!

Then some non-Harry Potter fan mentioned something about fitting in Camp Half-Blood to change the subject. Someone else said he'll fit in Camp Half-Blood because he is Tyson (LOL.)

This is when the best part of the conversation started. I said, I am Percy Jackson and Annabeth's daughter.

Then instead of attending Camp Half-Blood, I'll attend Hogwart's because I became a witch.

By the time I am 17, I'll be bitten by a vampire (the glisten-under-the-sun type from Twilight not the sun-burning-type from The Vampire Diaries and True Blood.) More fun way to preserve my youth. I really don't care much about my soul like Edward Cullen.

Then someone said I'll also be bitten by a Lycan. I thought, I don't really want the pain of transforming so I said I'll make my lover a Shapeshifter (Team Jacob!) who also attended Hogwart's.

He's also a firestarter like Leo Valdez who killed his parents when he was young. So he's now not just a Shapeshifter but a Skinwalker too! To switch things a bit more, instead of shapeshifter-dead-when-bitten-by-vampire, I'll make Klaus from The Vampire Diaries bite him and make him a Hybrid (hopefully that works for Shapeshifters too).

The most complicated love story ever! Demigod Spawn Witch turned Vampire and Firestarter Shapeshifter turned Skinwalker Wizard turned Hybrid.

Our baby will then be raised as an assassin by Aussie Henry VIII (Eric Bana) and kill that Oscar winning Aussie Queen Elizabeth I (Cate Blanchett.)

Yes!

Hundred Islands Pangasinan

2011-10-01T02:04:00.000-07:00

Earlier this year, Gemma Garcia and I were invited by Pamela Macuha on their Department's out of town trip to Hundred Islands, Pangasinan. Here is one of the videos I took while we were waiting for food.

Life isn't simple.

2011-09-30T22:09:00.000-07:00

Just because it looks simple doesn't mean it wasn't complicated.

Another day in the office, another annoying quote.

2011-09-30T22:00:00.000-07:00

Quote for the day is:

"clean up. don't let the mess get out of hand"

Well, it did. What now? My room is full of stuff I bought but I've not had the time to use. I even lost my blue 8GB flash drive I bought a week ago. I have no idea where I put it or if I dropped it someplace.

It's been raining so I haven't washed my bedsheet for a while. I hope it won't rain this coming weekend. I really want to get all my stuff washed and dried in the sun.

I haven't dusted the stuff under my bed. I'm sure I can plant potatoes there soon. Mashed potatoes anyone?

Wait, which one is healthier, mashed potatoes or potato chips? I prefer potato chips with lots of salt.

The light in our toilet doesn't work properly when it rain so I didn't get to clean the bathroom this week. All I can says is "Ew!"

I bought a bunch of insect killing stuff a few weeks ago and I am very satisfied with them. I find dead cockroaches on the floor once in a while with much delight. They just dropped dead. No need to chase them with slippers. I hate seeing cockroach goo.

Ants were gone too. People said that the only way to get rid of ants is to keep your place clean. Well, last time i checked, our appartment isn't clean but I don't see lines of ants anymore. just one or two roaming around aimlessly. They got lost apparently.

I have not seen a cat's poop in a while too. When you just climb 2 flights of stairs (3rd floor), you expect to breathe fresh air when you get to the top, not decaying cat poop. Why else would we get an appartment on our building's roofdeck? Noone expected to see stray cats much less cat poop on the third floor especially if none of us like cats. Or maybe we should've expected it. Stray cats do like to hangout on roofs and we kinda live on the roof.

Worse thing about it is it's been clogging the drain outside our appartment when it rained all week three weeks ago. Water dripping downstairs are contaminated. Dis-gus-ting!

I'd like to take responsibility for the absence of cat poop. Relax! I am not killing small animals for fun (yet.) I simply yelled to the cat "If you ever leave your poop here again, I'll kill you and all of your other friends. After I make you eat your poop!"

I guess cats are smarter than a 5th grader. It listened! (animal lovers use he/she when referring to animals. I am not an animal lover. I am not even a human lover.)

When we were having a cat poop situation, I literally went to the grocery store to look for cat poison. They don't make one. Just for rats and insects. Am I evil?

Good thing I know I have that power over animals. They do what I say sometimes. My grandmother's cat used to approach me and purr at my feet like it wants me to touch it. I stared at it in the eyes and said "Don't go near me ever again!" It worked! The fun part is my grandmother has a bunch of cats (some from neighbors), none of them ever go near me. They mind their own business, I mind mine. I didn't even have to kick them or something.

I really want to clean up but I can't. I get lazy sometimes. Okay! I get lazy most of the time. Fine! I get lazy all the time.

One more working day to go and I have to face my filth.

*****
updated
Cat pooped again... It rained again... Water contaminated again..
Found my flash drive. It was in my pants' pocket. It was thrown in the laundry but it still works!
I still have a lot to do.
*****

Inspirational Quotes

2011-09-30T00:42:00.000-07:00

One of our applications at work give us inspirational quotes every day to motivate us. Unfortunately, some of them annoy the hell out of me.

For example: One morning, I was in a really good mood. Then I read this:

"Don't follow the crowd. take the path less traveled by, and that will make the difference."

First of all, when you just watched Catacombs the night before, you wouldn't want to start the following day with a quote saying take the path less traveled because you might end up lost in a 200-mile labyrinth and end up killing everyone in the movie including your favorite rockstar Pink!

Second, you don't tell an employee to take her own path and then promote teamwork. That doesn't make sense.

Third, the last time I took the path less traveled (do something the boss specifically said not to do), I ended up getting in trouble. Why post this quote if you can't get away with insubordination?

Fourth, I've been taking the path less traveled my whole life and all I get is people telling me I am weird. That's not the difference I want.

Fifth, I can go on and on about choosing my own path and its consequences and end up not making any sense. The purpose of this rant is:

Most people are inspired by inspirational quotes. I choose to take the path less traveled. I'm gonna be annoyed instead.

Asperger's Sugar

2011-09-30T00:21:00.000-07:00

Vanessa Lengies
Are You Afraid of The Dark Sugar?

Sugar Motta is adorable! Brittany S. Pierce is still my unicorn.

Watching Glee makes me wanna have Asperger's Syndrome. I know this might offend those who have it and tell me how ignorant I am of the difficulties of having this disorder.

Heather Morris
"dolphins are just gay sharks"

However, I wanna let them know of the difficulties of people who are just plain rude. At least you have Asperger's to blame for your actions, I have nothing to blame but plain bad attitude.

People who are just vulgar can't blame tourettes. Rude people like me can't blame a mental disorder for being who we are.

Worse, people expect me to apologize for speaking my mind. I choose not to feel remorse for speaking the truth. I may, however, feel sorry for hurting people with my words.

Nevertheless, just because people got hurt doesn't make me any wrong. I simply express my observations. There is no feeling behind them.

Or maybe, I do have Asperger's. I was just not diagnosed properly. I wonder if mental disorders are covered by my insurance.

The Secret Circle

2011-09-28T04:22:00.000-07:00

The Secret Circle reminds me a lot of Charmed. I just wish this is a spin off of Charmed. Halliwell girls back on it again.

Why is Holly Marie Combs in Pretty Little Liars and not in The Secret Circle? Charmed has a cult following and I bet she’ll bring a bunch or magic-crazy fans to obsess over The Secret Circle now that Harry Potted ended.

I found another 7^th Heaven alum on The Secret Circle.

Ruthie's BF to Cheerleader's BF to Terminator's BF to a witch's BF

Britt from Life Unexpected

Aw! So Cute!

Supernatural Season 7 Episode 1 ( s07e01 )

2011-09-27T01:09:00.000-07:00

Castiel is the new God. Sam tried to apologize but you can’t simply say sorry for stabbing God in the back. Cas asked Bobby,Sam and Dean to bow before him. They obliged but it was all so pathetic because they obviously didn’t feel like loving the new God.

God left with a threat. He’ll strike them down if they get in the way. Yikes!

God killed a bunch of angels. Roamed earth trying to be better than his predecessor while Dean worked on the destroyed Impala,Sam battled his hell and Bobby finds a way to kill God.

God roamed the world in his trench coat spreading his word and killing those who defy him. Everybody felt God’s Wrath. He visited Hypocritical Preachers,Motivational Speakers to Corrupt Government Officials and disbanded KKK.

God also found Crowley and made him King of Hell again. What’s the catch? God controls the souls he get. This arrangement is screwy because now I don’t know what will happen to my soul? Fall in line for eternity,create my own world in Heaven or stay with the monsters in God’s twisting belly.

As Sam and Dean watch God in the news,they decided they needed to take action. God should not get away with killing a bunch of people just because he is God.

Sam and Dean called Crowley for help. He was reluctant at first but he also don’t fancy the new God.

Crowley helped the two by providing the spell to bind Death.

They got the stuff they need to bind Death. Death came,upset for being bound and revealed to Dean that Sam is having hallucinations and that he couldn’t help with that.

Somehow the two talked Death into killing God for them. I guess even if Death is your bitch you still have to respect him. He is ancient after all.

God came angry with the two for meddling when told not to. He was gonna kill Sam and Dean. But killing them won’t work because they got Death on their side.

Death was about to kill God when God removed Death’s bind. He went on to eat Dean’s food offering and waited for someone to die.

God threatened Sam and Dean again but left right after.

He said God took more from Purgatory than souls. Old powerful things like the Leviathan. He said Sam and Dean’s only option is to make God return the things he got from Purgatory. Death said they have all they need at the laboratory where Season 6 left off.

After unbinding Death,God visited a corrupt Government Official Campaign Headquarters,he ended up murdering everyone. This is the first indication Cas won’t be God any longer. Exciting!

Sam and Dean saw the security footage and witnessed the new Cas. Kinda cool now that Cas get’s to show emotion other than a blank stare.

Cas woke up freaked out by the number of people he killed at the Campaign Headquarters. He went straight to Bobby’s for help.

The gang went back to the lab. Sam went to get the blood they need. While picking it up,he saw Lucifer. He made him doubt his reality.

Sam and Bobby got the blood Sam left on the floor and went on to help Cas puke out the monsters back to purgatory.

Unfortunately,some of them held on. The Leviathans!

This is going to be so much fun!

Caroline's Gay Dad who used to be "The Cheerleader's Dad" is the new Buffy?

2011-09-24T01:11:00.000-07:00

Jack Coleman when he wasn't ancient. He's hot!

Jack Coleman who used to be Noah Bennett is the new Vampire Killer in town (I think). That's how Episode 2 of Season 3 of The Vampire Diaries ended. Caroline chained saying "Daddy?" He seems "goonish". I imagined Caroline's dad to be flamboyant like Mrs. J.

Damon Salvatorre

2011-09-24T00:46:00.000-07:00

Since Young Americans, I have been waiting for Ian Somerhalder to make his way back to me. He's not just back as a vampire but it looks like he's about stay.

I hate Stefan for ruining Damon's life.

I know! He's Dreamy!

Anna and Vicky

2011-09-24T00:36:00.000-07:00

Out of all the those who died in The Vampire Diaries, I missed Anna and Vicky the most. I guess I have to thank Bonnie for reviving Jeremy. I get to see my favorite dead vamps.

Kayla Ewell as Vicki Donovan

Malese Jow as Anna

David Gallagher is on Vampire Diaries!

2011-09-24T00:29:00.000-07:00

I grew up watching 7^th Heaven and I am very pleased to see Mr. Simon Camden himself back on TV. He was on Smallville in its final season. His stint only lasted a few minutes. Too bad his stint as a werewolf didn't last longer than his stint as half of a magical twin.

He’s agony from Stefan and Damon was pleasurable. I hope I get to see him more often.

Alex Skarsgard - True Blood

2011-09-10T07:27:00.000-07:00

I didn't think it was possible for me to love Eric Northman even more. I was absolutely wrong. I liked him when he first appeared as the old, cold, evil antagonist vampire to Bill Compton, liked him more when he tricked Sookie to drink his blood (kinda blonde of her), loved him when he grieved his maker's death, loved him more when he becomes Sookie's new protector. But now, the evil is gone and he became an adorable puppy with chiseled body. When you see his sweet, innocent eyes, you want to protect him. When you see his tall physique and abs, you want to be protected by him. He makes your heart warm and fuzzy and drool at the same time.
I demand a spin off. As much as I love Eric with Sookie, we all know Sookie will end up with her real life hubby. I hope when True Blood ends, the Viking God Vampire will have his own TV show. I'm pretty sure it'll be a hit.

What made me head over heels? Alex Skarsgard the actor who plays Eric Northman so beautifully, makes a lot of sense. We live by the same creed:

" To always be curious. Because curiosity is insubordination in its purest form." - Vladimir Nabokov

( I hope he really said that this is the creed he lives by. I may not be disappointed much but I'll be disappointed nonetheless.)

My most favorite quote is:

Alexander: (on the nudity in "True Blood") I'm Scandinavian God dammit. We love to be naked.