3.24.2009
Recession selling
How do you say no to a promo like this?
Marketing done very wrong...or very right? What do you think?
(spotted inside Cash & Carry mall in Makati City)
Labels: advertising, humor, random
3.06.2009
Watchmen review: Squidless but with superb integrity
Zack Snyder, less popular faces and Leonard Cohen do a great comic book movie make. Watchmen, which has been on the radar since the peso could buy something, proves that fanboy leanings can be wisely channeled to make an excellent acclaimed-book-to-film adaptation memorable to even non-fans. Producers take note: Not all directors who worship the original material are predestined to make overblown geekgasm movies.
If you've seen director Snyder's breakout 300, you already know he can tickle both comicbook geeks and the mainstream audience in quite explosive ways. But oh what a challenge it's been for him and his crew who faced dissent of mythological proportions along the way, thanks to the internet and The-Big-Studio-That-Shall-Not-Be-Named. From casting to film rights to censorship, Watchmen just couldn't please everyone and always seemed to be on the verge of becoming a dud. Thankfully, the end result is as good as it can possibly get.
If you've read the book, you may have apprehensions about its big-screen version becoming a tedious experience (I know I did). The much-vaunted graphic novel presents a lot of highlights that may be difficult to compress outside the pages. It tells the story of mortals and their morals, yet it is a superhero story. It is a socio-political commentary, yet hopeful. It has romance, but it is also realistic. It is both intimate and grand. And the number of characters, many back stories and supplementary stories... The book said many, many things that even the smartest helmers may find hard to condense in one or several film devices.
It's a daunting enough proposition to make a movie version of the widely acknowledged "best graphic novel of all time", but as netizens say: "In Zack Snyder we trust." His vision of Watchmen was one that paid tribute to its source almost painfully. Remember how it felt to see the first photos of the cast in costume? Yep, that one. The chosen illustrated panels were lifted onto the screen with reverence, with each actor holding his own in every lovingly crafted and interestingly scored scene. Most importantly, Snyder didn't use a light hand in dealing with the themes that made the book so impactful. He gave the important issues enough time and even where he had to make adjustments, the message remains. Sure, it's a little long and they decided to forego the giant alien squid spectacle (which a friend rightly pointed out might seem corny for audiences nowadays) but if after seeing the movie, you don't recall your thoughts and questions upon reading the book for the first, second, third (and so forth) time, you can sic Bubastis on me.
Casting was genius, particularly in the cases of Jackie Earle Haley, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Billy Crudup and Malin Ackerman. Haley did justice to Rorshach's aggrieved dignity. Morgan as The Comedian was gleefully amoral yet someone you can understand. Crudup, always reliable, and Ackerman, who proved to be a surprise.
At first, I was bothered by the music. I thought the songs were predictably Americana, like Bob Dylan's The Times They are a-Changin' during the establishing sequence. Eventually, I enjoyed how it helped make the film's historical perspective more accessible. It was also pleasing to hear not one, but two Leonard Cohen songs. Snyder's got taste!
Maybe because it's an amazing piece of fiction to begin with, or maybe it was my fierce intent to dispose of expectations. Whatever the reason, Watchmen the movie tackled the epic-yet-personal nature of the literature with quite a lot of class.
If you've seen director Snyder's breakout 300, you already know he can tickle both comicbook geeks and the mainstream audience in quite explosive ways. But oh what a challenge it's been for him and his crew who faced dissent of mythological proportions along the way, thanks to the internet and The-Big-Studio-That-Shall-Not-Be-Named. From casting to film rights to censorship, Watchmen just couldn't please everyone and always seemed to be on the verge of becoming a dud. Thankfully, the end result is as good as it can possibly get.
If you've read the book, you may have apprehensions about its big-screen version becoming a tedious experience (I know I did). The much-vaunted graphic novel presents a lot of highlights that may be difficult to compress outside the pages. It tells the story of mortals and their morals, yet it is a superhero story. It is a socio-political commentary, yet hopeful. It has romance, but it is also realistic. It is both intimate and grand. And the number of characters, many back stories and supplementary stories... The book said many, many things that even the smartest helmers may find hard to condense in one or several film devices.
It's a daunting enough proposition to make a movie version of the widely acknowledged "best graphic novel of all time", but as netizens say: "In Zack Snyder we trust." His vision of Watchmen was one that paid tribute to its source almost painfully. Remember how it felt to see the first photos of the cast in costume? Yep, that one. The chosen illustrated panels were lifted onto the screen with reverence, with each actor holding his own in every lovingly crafted and interestingly scored scene. Most importantly, Snyder didn't use a light hand in dealing with the themes that made the book so impactful. He gave the important issues enough time and even where he had to make adjustments, the message remains. Sure, it's a little long and they decided to forego the giant alien squid spectacle (which a friend rightly pointed out might seem corny for audiences nowadays) but if after seeing the movie, you don't recall your thoughts and questions upon reading the book for the first, second, third (and so forth) time, you can sic Bubastis on me.
Casting was genius, particularly in the cases of Jackie Earle Haley, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Billy Crudup and Malin Ackerman. Haley did justice to Rorshach's aggrieved dignity. Morgan as The Comedian was gleefully amoral yet someone you can understand. Crudup, always reliable, and Ackerman, who proved to be a surprise.
At first, I was bothered by the music. I thought the songs were predictably Americana, like Bob Dylan's The Times They are a-Changin' during the establishing sequence. Eventually, I enjoyed how it helped make the film's historical perspective more accessible. It was also pleasing to hear not one, but two Leonard Cohen songs. Snyder's got taste!
Maybe because it's an amazing piece of fiction to begin with, or maybe it was my fierce intent to dispose of expectations. Whatever the reason, Watchmen the movie tackled the epic-yet-personal nature of the literature with quite a lot of class.
Labels: comics, film, geek, movies, music, reviews
6.30.2008
fear should be a factor
when "oh this looks an episode on fear factor" popped into my head, i knew my brain was kicking in. Still, it was not until it issued the imperative "Danger. Let it go" when i finally released my hold on my handbag.
i would like to say i was tenacious, a fighter, but the hindsight that i could have died, as well as the throbbing of some wounds and bruises, would say i was being stupid. i hope my younger siblings read this and think "That really was a stupid thing to do, ate".
Still, i can't fault my instinct. That was the first thing it wanted to do in those first few seconds, to go all "oh no, you don't!" and keep pulling at my handbag's strap even though i was aware of being dragged across the ground at motorcycle speed...against the flow of traffic on zobel roxas. My friend was right when she said, "you know, you'll never really know what you can and will do until you're actually faced with a certain situation."
i always said i'd just give up my things if i get mugged. and i was surprised to know that my instinct, and a little part of my conscious self, was not to, pala. that was what really made my heart throb extra hard a few hours later, that there were a few seconds when i was consciously just not letting go, still fighting. some of the similar muggings in my area involve riders with guns or metal tubes to hurt their victims. what if this dude had a gun? i would have been very easy to shoot, and fatally, being the quite large and noticeable buntot of their little ride. upon reflecting on it later, i also realized that, should there have been a parked car that obstructed my legs in those first few "stupid" seconds while i was in angry mode, my instinct would have been to pull very hard and make the second rider fall off. but what if he does fall off yet manage to pull something on me before i could escape? i pride myself on being relatively brave, but not on being foolhardy. jesus christ.
no, i'm not blaming myself. there's really no one to blame for people who'd rather hurt others than take on an honest job, even if it's just powering pedicabs (the drivers were actually one of the first people by my side, apart from ate josie who shouted so loud to alert everyone when she saw me fall). i'm just surprised at my not-so-smart initial reaction to something like this. i hope my instincts know better next time.
obviously, i don't think i'll get over this for a while, and i'm still very, Very nervous to step out of my house as it happened just right at the corner from where i live, i had a companion and it was 8am. i'm actually quite careful and aware because these people are always roaming our streets. apparently, even that is not enough to be safe from these lazy bastards. may they be raped by a gang of hyperactive carabaos (thanks, roj!). then may the tusks of ornery elephants find their way to anal crevices ideally used for pleasure. then may somebody bash their faces so bad they look like the love child of gollum and ephialtes. but then may they still retain full function of their johnsons so they feel a profound pain when absolutely no one will touch them.
apart from what seems like minor injuries, the damage includes my dear mobile phone (which doesn't deserve this treatment), my digital camera (replaceable), my wallet with official IDs and bank cards (alerted and blocked, except for official IDs that i still have to work on). what i consider the greatest loss is my little notebook with the Gustav Klimt painting on the cover. that had all my ideas, some writing, plans, passwords (already changed), dreams, favorite things, etc. I'm still crying about this, but i would be lying if i said trauma wasn't thrown in there somewhere.
later in the evening while i was praying before bedtime, i apologized to my body and said "i'm sorry i put you through that, but thank you for letting go. i'll take better care of you, okay?" i'm just happy that, at some point, the more powerful part of my brain COMMANDED my body to let it go. there was, honestly, a little part that wanted to hold on because it believed i could still win. i'm happiest that my body followed the other part of my brain. i think that was my Guardian Angel's doing. and i keep breathing a sigh of relief that somebody, something, released my hands' grip before either the thieves hurt me with something or a car ran me over. Thank God, indeed. Thank you, God. THANK. YOU. GOD. boy does he know what he's doing. whew.
now i have to push myself to still go about my normal life, even though my heart is hammering at the thought of stepping past our gate. but i have to, else i'd have lost more than my bag and what was in it. today's a sunday and the wounds on my feet (not so bad, actually, but there were thin layers of flesh that got removed) are throbbing like anything. it could be because i decided to still push through with my recital last night because i needed something to smile about. now That is the right kind of courage.
somebody said after seeing me perform, "parang akala mo wala lang nangyari sa 'yo ah." i went all batman (frank miller-style) and said, "it's a simple matter of telling your body to turn that grimace of pain into an extra wide on-stage smile."
(as a request, can you just pray for my family? :D i had some bank info in there and i'm afraid they may think we have money or something and do something worse than robbing just me. thank you :) )
i would like to say i was tenacious, a fighter, but the hindsight that i could have died, as well as the throbbing of some wounds and bruises, would say i was being stupid. i hope my younger siblings read this and think "That really was a stupid thing to do, ate".
Still, i can't fault my instinct. That was the first thing it wanted to do in those first few seconds, to go all "oh no, you don't!" and keep pulling at my handbag's strap even though i was aware of being dragged across the ground at motorcycle speed...against the flow of traffic on zobel roxas. My friend was right when she said, "you know, you'll never really know what you can and will do until you're actually faced with a certain situation."
i always said i'd just give up my things if i get mugged. and i was surprised to know that my instinct, and a little part of my conscious self, was not to, pala. that was what really made my heart throb extra hard a few hours later, that there were a few seconds when i was consciously just not letting go, still fighting. some of the similar muggings in my area involve riders with guns or metal tubes to hurt their victims. what if this dude had a gun? i would have been very easy to shoot, and fatally, being the quite large and noticeable buntot of their little ride. upon reflecting on it later, i also realized that, should there have been a parked car that obstructed my legs in those first few "stupid" seconds while i was in angry mode, my instinct would have been to pull very hard and make the second rider fall off. but what if he does fall off yet manage to pull something on me before i could escape? i pride myself on being relatively brave, but not on being foolhardy. jesus christ.
no, i'm not blaming myself. there's really no one to blame for people who'd rather hurt others than take on an honest job, even if it's just powering pedicabs (the drivers were actually one of the first people by my side, apart from ate josie who shouted so loud to alert everyone when she saw me fall). i'm just surprised at my not-so-smart initial reaction to something like this. i hope my instincts know better next time.
obviously, i don't think i'll get over this for a while, and i'm still very, Very nervous to step out of my house as it happened just right at the corner from where i live, i had a companion and it was 8am. i'm actually quite careful and aware because these people are always roaming our streets. apparently, even that is not enough to be safe from these lazy bastards. may they be raped by a gang of hyperactive carabaos (thanks, roj!). then may the tusks of ornery elephants find their way to anal crevices ideally used for pleasure. then may somebody bash their faces so bad they look like the love child of gollum and ephialtes. but then may they still retain full function of their johnsons so they feel a profound pain when absolutely no one will touch them.
apart from what seems like minor injuries, the damage includes my dear mobile phone (which doesn't deserve this treatment), my digital camera (replaceable), my wallet with official IDs and bank cards (alerted and blocked, except for official IDs that i still have to work on). what i consider the greatest loss is my little notebook with the Gustav Klimt painting on the cover. that had all my ideas, some writing, plans, passwords (already changed), dreams, favorite things, etc. I'm still crying about this, but i would be lying if i said trauma wasn't thrown in there somewhere.
later in the evening while i was praying before bedtime, i apologized to my body and said "i'm sorry i put you through that, but thank you for letting go. i'll take better care of you, okay?" i'm just happy that, at some point, the more powerful part of my brain COMMANDED my body to let it go. there was, honestly, a little part that wanted to hold on because it believed i could still win. i'm happiest that my body followed the other part of my brain. i think that was my Guardian Angel's doing. and i keep breathing a sigh of relief that somebody, something, released my hands' grip before either the thieves hurt me with something or a car ran me over. Thank God, indeed. Thank you, God. THANK. YOU. GOD. boy does he know what he's doing. whew.
now i have to push myself to still go about my normal life, even though my heart is hammering at the thought of stepping past our gate. but i have to, else i'd have lost more than my bag and what was in it. today's a sunday and the wounds on my feet (not so bad, actually, but there were thin layers of flesh that got removed) are throbbing like anything. it could be because i decided to still push through with my recital last night because i needed something to smile about. now That is the right kind of courage.
somebody said after seeing me perform, "parang akala mo wala lang nangyari sa 'yo ah." i went all batman (frank miller-style) and said, "it's a simple matter of telling your body to turn that grimace of pain into an extra wide on-stage smile."
(as a request, can you just pray for my family? :D i had some bank info in there and i'm afraid they may think we have money or something and do something worse than robbing just me. thank you :) )
5.14.2008
'please don't explode'
lookit lookit! ain't it charming?can't wait for this one, too! argh!
Labels: culture, film, geek, movies
5.13.2008
speechless...
...i just met a girl named speechless.
har har.
what do most people have against someone who chooses to be upbeat and encouraging? or is it "maturity" they want to project?
i am constantly puzzled by people. do they want a monopoly on optimism or something? do their spirits shy away from energy stronger than theirs? i don't see that as a problem because this. is. not. a. contest.
what do most people have against the happy guy?
har har.
what do most people have against someone who chooses to be upbeat and encouraging? or is it "maturity" they want to project?
i am constantly puzzled by people. do they want a monopoly on optimism or something? do their spirits shy away from energy stronger than theirs? i don't see that as a problem because this. is. not. a. contest.
what do most people have against the happy guy?
5.12.2008
Perfect post-rehab stint for Downey
Now this is a comeback. After all the trouble with booze, drugs and (was there?) a drunk driving charge, former heir to the serious-actor-slash-matinee-idol throne Robert Downey Jr. shows he still has what it takes to wow audiences. This may even be his blockbuster-est movie yet. What could've been a hokey let's-turn-over-a-new-leaf story was more believable from across Downey's eyes (the same ones that made you cry in Chaplin).
the other nuts:
Jeff Bridges - Whoa!!! I didn't think he could be that menacing, in a very human way, too. Made it more disturbing.
Gwyneth Paltrow - Never liked her much but she was woefully underused here. Maybe they have plans for the second.
and my super squeal moment: yes, nick fury and s.h.i.e.l.d.!!! i clapped my hands like a giddy kid shrieking "whoo! nick fury and s.h.i.e.l.d.!" while remembering how fun it was to geek out over comic books with my brother when we were younger.
that's all, you guys have already said everything else :D
the other nuts:
Jeff Bridges - Whoa!!! I didn't think he could be that menacing, in a very human way, too. Made it more disturbing.
Gwyneth Paltrow - Never liked her much but she was woefully underused here. Maybe they have plans for the second.
and my super squeal moment: yes, nick fury and s.h.i.e.l.d.!!! i clapped my hands like a giddy kid shrieking "whoo! nick fury and s.h.i.e.l.d.!" while remembering how fun it was to geek out over comic books with my brother when we were younger.
that's all, you guys have already said everything else :D
Labels: books, comics, culture, film, geek, movies, reviews, self
5.07.2008
yeba for local pizza!
so happy and proud that this particular company opted to do something different in terms of promoting itself :) enjoy the video to see what i'm talking about:
Overloaded! Greenwich Pizza Mob, Gimmick 1 "Store Stare"
Overloaded! Greenwich Pizza Mob, Gimmick 1 "Store Stare"
Labels: advertising, culture, flash mob, geek, public relations
