10 Songs

1. Kings and Queens - 30 Seconds to Mars
   
2. Possibility - Llyke Li
3. Storm to Pass - Atreyu
   
4. For Your Entertainment - Adam Lambert
5. Bad Romance - Lady GaGa
6. Cousins - Vampire Weekend
7. Take Me Home - After Midnight Project
   
8. Uprising - Muse
9. Relator - Pete Yorn and Scarlett Johansson
10. Fireflies - Owl City
    

Errrr....

I have tons of reviews to write. I do not know where to start. "Moon"? "The White Ribbon"? "The Echo"? Much to write, much to see....

RacsOview: "Precious" (2009)

"Precious" is a coming of age story about Precious. Precious was verbally and physically abused by her mother. Brutally I must say. Frying pans and bottles flying. Not to mentions pots and vases. And television dropping. God. It was something out of a celebrity death match episode. Now along with those stuff that her mother threw, verbal lashings errrr more of verbal fireballs comes along. So just imagine what Precious is going through. And I forgot to mention that she is pregnant, again. She was impregnated by her father. Again.

Not only was it tough for Precious at home. It was also tough for her outside. She was overweight and people make fun off her. They push her over, tease and mock her. Precious resorts to her dreams that would make her cope up.

I have no doubt in my mind now that this movie is on its track to winning best picture in the Oscars. I am not saying that it is the year's best picture. NO. It is not. But this is the type of movie that the Oscar voters go for.

It is a good movie. A very solid one at that. But masterpiece is a far description. But I give that it is masterfully acted. Gabourey Sibide carried the movie, the emotionally heavy and demanding movie, and she was able to. She was great. Plus, believe all the buzz that Mo'Nique is generating. SHE WAS SCARY. That bitch mother was the bitchiest of all mothers ever put to screen. She was more evil than all evil step mothers in all fairytales. And that breakdown in the end. Ooooh gives me the chills.

The problems I had with the film was that I really did not get the need for the narration. Sibide can convey the message already, no need to voice out. Another problem was that it felt sloppily edited and it felt so jumbled when it was linear. The momentum was not maintained. It easily dies down. The thing is, I do feel that emo scenes after another is overkill. A pause or rest is needed. But the feeling has to linger. That was not the case I felt for "Precious". The transitioning at parts were off. Don't get me wrong, I am not talking about the dream sequences, I loved the dream sequences, they were heartfelt and desperate. It was her escape. I felt that. It was the scene changes I kinda did not get.

"Precious" is Oscar bound. There is no denying that. It was a masterfully acted. Mo'Nique is getting an Oscar. Sibide is going to get nominated. I just fear that it will sweep a la Slumdog.

B+

10 Songs

Dang! I just noticed that I never did this for a very long time. Anyway. Here it is.

1. Possibility - Llyke Li
2. For Your Entertainment - Adam Lambert
3. Kings and Queens - 30 Seconds to Mars
4. Bad Romance - Lady GaGa
5. Cousins - Vampire Weekend
6. Pussy - Rammstein
7. Uprising - Muse
8. Relator - Pete Yorn and Scarlett Johansson
9. There's Too Much Love - Sufjan Stevens
10. Meet Me at the Equinox - Deathcab for Cutie
    

RacsOview: "Paranormal Activity" (2009)

"Paranormal Activity" is a story of a couple documenting the errr paranormal activity inside their house. They placed a camera in their bedroom which records everything that happens inside their room over the course of the night. And every night at 3:00 AM ish, things get creepy, and horrifying.

A-la "The Blairwitch Project" a movie that scared the living shit out off me, "Paranormal Activity" follows the same route and claimed that the movie was real. That the actors are now dead and so on. I have not seen any movie following Blairwitch that was as scary and as effective. Paranormal, sort of almost made it there.

Don't get me wrong. The movie was scary and creepy. You just have to sit that long in order to get scared. If you pretended that you were there as the things happen, you'd be freaked out. You would feel that the start was not a waste of building up the terror. But what it lacked for me was that the actual scary scenes, or at least some of the scenes were not scary enough or it was scary but it was cut too abruptly. Thus, not causing the horror to sink in and you would just think that I have to sit through the movie seeing that woman bitch about things and shout.

This was the type of movie that I was expecting that would haunt me in my sleep. I wish that there were more imagery that would linger in my mind and would make me cringe at the thought of it. The only scene that stuck with me was the leg pulling scene. And the ending. Yes I remember it. It was a weak ending.

I liked the movie despite the lack of the horror factor. I just wish it could have scared me more.

B-

RacsOview: "The House of the Devil" (2009)

Effective horror does not come that often. So whenever there is a chance for me to see a horror movie, I jump right into it. Seeing "The House of the Devil" was a treat for me. It was not your typical horror all throughout screamfest. Rather it made time, much time to build up the terror to suck you in the frantic and manic-ly horrifying climax.

"The House of the Devil" follows a simple story. It was about a girl, making ends meet took a bizarro side job as a "babysitter" only to find out that she was selected by the devil. The cuckoo guy practically begged her to take the 400 dollar one night job to babysit. Things got creepy and kooky and she woke up being strung in a pentacost and a horrifying looking woman or man did some hoodoo on her.

I really liked how the movie felt like the old 80's or 70's horror movie. I think that it helped a lot in creating the look and the ambiance of the movie. Even the actors look like they were taken from the past. It would feel as though this was made in the past and was only shown today. The filmmaker, Ti West, successfully recreated the look and feel of a retro horror movie.

If you guys could catch this in theaters near you, you should go and see it. I highly recommend it. But you have to be patient with it, the first part was yummily dragging, but the end was everything you could ask for and more.

B+

RacsOview: "New Moon" (2009)

I stand corrected with my earlier feeling for this movie. I remember saying that they are just hamming this movie to sell more tickets. I was wrong. Chris Weitz took helm of the movie and turned it to something that stayed true to the book. Well, may too faithful to the book. But can you really blame him for wanting to make a movie that is for the Twilight diehards? Many critics are accusing him of that and many are saying that the film is for the fans only. I must say, I am a fan, and I enjoyed watching it, and whatever it was they are saying to the film may be true, but I really do not care at all because I enjoyed the movie a whole deal lot.

"New Moon" picks up where they left us off in "Twilight". Bella is aging. She fears that she Edward will not want to be with her if she ages. She dreams about it. And she bugs Edward to transform her to a vampire all the time. It was her Birthday wish. But Edward does not want to transform her because he fears for the damnation of her soul. On the eve of her birthday, Alice, Edward's "sister" prepared a sort of get together in the Cullen's house. Doltish Bella papercuts herself which sent Jasper berserk and blood hungry forcing Edward to stupidly power shove Bella away that made her bleed more. That incident made Edward leave Bella for good. Poor desperate Bella, lived like a zombie for months, and found Edward desperation through adrenaline pumping activities which produces Edward apparitions. She also found gap filling time, love in the company of Jacob and his pack of werewolves. Bella is a freak magnet. And the story goes on blah blah. Volturi blah blah blah. More freaky abs-ed werewolves. Blah blah blah vampires. In the end, they all (the Cullens sans Edward) decided to transform Bella (make her a vampire) but Bella wanted Edward to do it. Edward ends the movie asking Bella to marry him. The end.

It was without a doubt uber melodramatic. And the story has mega loop holes and zaniness and corny-ness. Objectively looking at it, the movie was sluggish and unintentionally funny at times. Especially when the movie was trying so hard to ham Jacob up. But movie going experience is always subjective. And that part of me really liked the movie. I could not explain it. I even liked it more than "Twilight". The acting was OK. Taylor Lautner can act. Pattinson and Stewart were their usual selves. I loved Fanning.

I like the movie as it is. I know I wish that it could be better, better in terms of it being universally liked. But like "High School Musical" the movie was predominantly made for fans, and they made sure that you will love it. Weitz toned it down. Changed the feel of the movie to something warmer. The feel of the movie changed along with Bella's ever changing temperament.

"New Moon" was a serious movie with sprinkles of humor and unintentionally funny scenes. But I forgive all of that. Heck, I even liked the movie more than the book. Like I said. I really don't care how people would pummel this movie. More for me then.

B+

"New Moon"

OK so I finally saw "New Moon"....

I liked it.... Better than the first...

I feel like that hate mails will arrive. But I don't care....

Will do a review later.... Still high...

RacsOview: "Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans" (2009)

So.... I have seen it. "Bad Lieutenant". The new Werner Herzog movie that stars Nicolas cage. You all know it. Yep... I have seen it.

I do not know what to say. It was weird. A part of me was saying that it was bad. Especially that iguana whatever lizard animal scene. I do not know what the frack was that for. Weird.

I tugged some emotions. Yeah. With a spoon. Damn.

I do not know what to say. Random thoughts are just buzzing about in my head. No clear direction. No concrete sentences.

I need to see it again.

Will Nicolas Cage never ever get a decent hair cut job? Why are people raving this film? Is this a movie parody of a B-Movie crime drama?

I enjoyed it some some. But loathed most. But I feel that I am missing something. I really should go see it again.

But for now...

D

Will See "New Moon" But...

At first I was really expecting the movie to come out. As early as summer. But now I do not know why my interest for the whole franchise just ran out. Now I am contemplating why I profusely loved "Twilight". I still think it is good, but not as good as I think it was a year ago.

The thing with "Twilight" is, it is overhyped. I mean I know it is a phenomenon, why go gaga too gaga over it.

My problem with the movie franchise I think is that it is not aiming to be better unlike the Harry Potter franchise which aims to be a cultural classic, which they did in "Prisoner of Azkaban". The people behind the whole "Twilight" franchise is focused in just looking out for their target audience and they seem do not want to draw in more fans. Trailer alone, one can easily conclude that the movie is beefed up. Beef in terms of man beef. Sure to make panties, briefs and boxers fly.

But I hope I am wrong. I will make sure to update you guys....

RacsOview: "2012" (2009)

STUPID.

The movie that gets dumber and dumber by the minute.

Waste of money.

Worst movie of the year.

Will someone give John Cusack and Chiwetel Eijiofor a better movie?

F

RacsOview: "9" (2009)

"9" is a movie about 9 sort of dolls which are actually 9 pieces of the soul of the one who made them. They were all created for a reason, and that is, to stop the "War of the Worlds" looking devil machino robot that is taking over the world. It was created by man and it destroyed man in return, when it went berserk and out of control.

Hmmm. What can I say about this movie. First. It is very well made. It is gorgeous. It was a whole new world, a messed up broken down world taken over by machines.

The battle scenes are outstanding. It was the sort of action that many action films are dying to orchestrate. It was effective. It was fun. It was very enjoyable.

Other than the two reasons I stated. There was nothing in the movie that I liked. The story was boring and so limited. It did not explore much. The idea was half baked and so was the result. Half baked. Commonplace. Enjoying yes but there was nothing new in it.

I could not even make 9 reasons why you should see this. But I can think of 9 reasons to not see it. It was such a let down. I feel so let down.

C-

State of the Oscar Race

I have been meaning to write this for a while now, my thoughts on the Oscar race that is. I have update my predictions already. You can see them on the right hand side.

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Right there. It is a "Precious"-ed list. It is the most buzzed about movie of the year. It is the little film that could. It is the feel bad film of the year that is tugging emotions of many who have seen it. It is the only movie that I see that is locked in the race with Gabourey Sibide and Mo'Nique headlining the categories in which they could be nominated in.

The best actor race has finally gotten some shape. Jeff Bridges in "Crazy Heart" is the sought after comebacker. Not really, if they had seen "The Door in the Floor". Colin Firth could land his first ever. I wish. But I have to see it. George Clooney seems like the male version of Cate Blanchett who seems like to be a default nominee.

I hope Meryl wins. Nuff said.

I really have high hopes for "The Lovely Bones", but no one has seen it yet. It has the makings of a potential Oscar Best Picture. But it could go unnoticed a la "Big Fish".

Boring year. I think. Low radar films are better and less disappointing.

RacsOview: "The Countess" (2009)

"The Countess" is the story of Erzebet Bathory. For those who do not know her, she was the nut countess who killed virgin women so that she could suck their blood dry and bathe on the blood. She looks at the mirror and sees herself getting younger, but that is just her, she really is not, she just lost bolts in her heads.

Julie Delpy is written all over this movie, I mean literally all over the movie. Other than playing the nutso Erzebet Bathory herself, she also wrote, directed, produced and composed the score of the movie. This girl has talent! She does! She already proved that she can act (and I gave her my award for best actress in 2004) in "Before Sunset". And now she is back, repeating her feat she did 2 years ago in "2 Days in Paris", and may I say that she is improving a whole deal lot.

The movie was creepy and it haunted me for days. I really do not know why, but the movie affected me a lot. It affected me like a horror movie would. I was hella crept. Julie Delpy was superb and effective. She stripped off all vanity to portray a woman scorned, bruised, desperate, crazy, manic, old. Though it was not a par her acting work in "Before Sunset" her performance in "The Countess" was superb, and I can not find fault in it.

I could not get around this review if I do not talk about Julie Delpy, Julie Delpy and Julie Delpy. She after all was the driving force of this movie. In fact among the actors it was only her that I would praise. Daniel Bruhl was good but I kind of was expecting more.

I could go on with this review exalting her greatness but that seems a cheat so I would stop now.

B+

RacsOview: "The Rapture of Fe" (2009)

I should have written this last week before it was shown in theaters to lift up your butts to go and see this movie.

"Ang Panggagahasa kay Fe (The Rapture of Fe)" is about a battered wife who mysteriously receives black fruits gifts. Fe returned from working abroad, only to come home to a battering husband. She resorted to have hidden relations with her old flame. Fe wanted more out of her life, well, more of breaking out. She lives with her abusive husband, her paramour does not want to commit to her.

What will you do if you are Fe? But wait, I forgot to tell you guys that she has a mythical Tree Demon (Kapre. A giant mythical creature that smokes tobacco. I really do not know the English translation. So let's just use Tree Demon.) admirer. It was the one who was sending the dark fruits. It has the hots for Fe. I mean come on, she's Irma Adlawan, who does not want her?

The question about the movie is that if the mythical side of the story is true. Or was it just a symbolism? Or was it Fe's escape and she just created it in her min? Fe is desperate. She is unhappy.

Irma Adlawan is in top form in this movie. I love her. I love her body of work, and she capped this decade with a superb performance. It was now showy, or flashy, or has that big emotion tear gushing scenes. It was real, the performance, and Adlawan may have delivered her personal best work.

The movie was a mix of fantasy, myth and timely social issues. It was an eye opener and it in its own way forcing an action. It was didactic but it was not preachy. It told a story, a pressing one at that, with a unique voice.

A-

Like in "Thirs", I wish there was more screentime for Mercedes Cabral.

RacsOview: "Thirst" (2009)

"Thirst" is Park Chan Wook's take on the whole vampire genre. It is about a priest who volunteered to be test experimented for a tropical and deadly disease. He miraculously survived the disease when he was transfused with vampire blood.

The movie was split into three acts. The first act was the discovery that he was a vampire. The second was when he found his love. The last act was when he saved his love by turning her into a vampire.

The first act was well executed. It was mysterious and intriguing. It was a good hope, a nice glimpse of what is about to be unfolded. It was Park Chan Wook's signature. He introduced us to this world he created, it was expressively told with lush colors, great acting and rather intriguing premise.

Let me skip the second act. The last act was a triumph. It was relaxed and everything fell into the right places. I finally got the chance to take a long look at Mercedes Cabral. I love her. I wish she had more time to show her prowess. But she made the most out of it. It was a great conclusion, the ending was fit, it brought the whole three acts together.

Now let me go back to the middle act. I did not like it. That's why I skipped it. The build up to the second act was there but when the second act unfolds, it was a hodgepodge of ideas that seem to have gotten lost in its own way. Wook seems to be experimenting himself, he infused dark comic humor in it, little twists, that did not quite add up really well. The result was a convoluted and schizophrenic mess.

But thank God for the leads, they glued the pieces together, to the best they can. Song Kang-ho as the vampire priest did a spectacular job. It was different from his work in "The Host". I thought that he would not be a fit for the role because I see him as a comedic actor, but he proved me wrong. But it was Kim Ok-Vin's show. She gracefully balanced the zaniness of the story. Park Chan Wook sure does know her actresses and how to showcase their greatness.

I wanted so much to say that I love the movie. But I really hated the middle, it was really messy. It did not connect. In fact, the three acts don't quite add up due to the very weak construction of the middle. I liked the movie when it was relaxed, but it got so crazy, too crazy for my taste.

P.S. Movie God, please gimme more Mercedes Cabral.

B-

Insomnia

I have insomnia again. I can not fracking sleep. I wish I could drink something that would put me to sleep, something that is not addicting.

I recently saw "Thirst". I am a big fan of Park Chan Wook, but I think this movie is troubling. I wanted it to be better because it had lotsa promise in the beginning. And it went mad in the middle. Then it got better again in the end Mercedes Cabral was in it. I wish she had more screentime. She was great in it. Is this the reason why I have not been able to sleep? "Thirst" should be perfect, but I was not. I hoped it was, it was just good or an almost there great. One reason. I guess. If it were not for that crazy middle, this movie would have been perfect. I really loved the start and end.

But more on "Thirst" later.

I think that the second reason is pretty clear so I will not state the obvious.

I have been thinking about sleeping. I wanted so much to not fall asleep and not feel tired. Maybe I should look for vampires to transform me so that I will never ever sleep. The twilight kind of vampire. But then again I do not want to become glittery in the morning.

I should not sleep, I have a lot to do.

RacsOview: "Paper Heart" (2009)

"Paper Heart" was about Charlene Yi and her quest to know what love is and to answer the lingering question if will she ever experience love to herself. So she and a crew started to make this documentary asking people about love and their experiences. Alongside the creation of the documentary was Charlene's love experience with Michael Cera.

The movie was touching, cute, whimsical and has a distinct voice. It did not break grounds, the movie, but it was entertaining nonetheless. Charlene Yi and Michael Cera's chemistry was slow burning, but in the end, you just root for them to stay together. The documentary got in their way, and their relationship fizzled, but got back on track when Charlene finally accepted in her that she loved Michael.

Michael Cera is a natural actor, you can not ever see that he was acting, it was as if he was just playing himself, which he was doing in the movie. It was natural. His acting. He was great. Charle Yi on the other hand was natural in front of the screen as well. She was the male counterpart of Cera, only less neat and dorkier.

I liked the reenactment of the love stories. It was cute, childish and beautiful. I also liked Charlene's song to Michael. It was very very touching.

But I felt that there was something lacking in the movie. It felt incomplete. It was almost there, but not really. If it got more interesting love stories, something that they could connect to the on going love story, I kinda think that it would worked better. I don't know. That's just me. The Cera-Yi love story was underdeveloped that it felt rushed towards the end. And they kept on making this sudden shifts that would make you think if they were really interested with each other or if they were just playing around.

It was whimsical and imaginative. But I guess it was not enough. If they had poured in more, I think that it could have been more interesting.

Nevertheless, I enjoyed it, and would be recommending it to friends and hopeless romantics. It was a nerdy and dorky love story that I am very much sure that will appeal to a broader younger audience.

B

RacsOview: "The Informant!" (2009)

"The Informant!" tells the story of a dork-ish looking smart guy Mark Whitacre who went all the lengths to tell tall tales and intricate spun web of lies. And that was pretty much it. The movie was a story of lies one told after another. It started with price fixing accusation in a big company where he worked in. Then it all backfired, and all eyes are on him.

The thing about it was that you kinda believe him too. And when all things went bonkers for him, you feel sorry for him, and you kinda wish that he gets out of it. Then later you would feel that you would like him to just stop making all this lies, you now pity him. Mark Whitacre was Matt Damon deglammed. The movie was all about him and he was great. I know that deglamming actors rarely get attention compared to deglamming actress, but this is one transformation that is actually worth it. This is Damon's career defining moment post "The Departed".

The movie was very beautiful to look at, it was glossy and bright and yellow. It was playful and alive. It matched the mood and feel of where the movie was taking us. It never lost life, it was vibrant throughout, thanks also to the playful background score.

Other than that, the movie was just that. It was just there to tell a story, nothing special, just plain solid fun. I kinda was hoping for something more special, well, it was but it was just not that special. I am giving it props for being great solid fun. But it was a redundant dud. It peaked too early that it ran out of fuel and interest in the end. I ran out of interest halfway through. And never got it back.

C+

Crappier Crap

"Why does it always rain on me?" is going inside my head right now. Rufus Rainwright sung a song perfect for me.

To start this day off, well, you know that I have been have problems to that is there to begin with. Then I woke up kinda crappy because of the noise. It keeps waking me up. Plus I have not had a decent sleep for weeks so go figure. I keep on waking like every hour and then it takes me more than 10 minutes to get my sleep back.

Next. It was very hot. I mean come on, it is already December and it is still fracking hot. Why won't everyone listen to Al Gore?

Then I got accused for doing something I did not do. I would do it if wanted to, but I did not. I am not that evil, like everyone thinks I am. Doing that is just beyond me. But then to accuse me of it was just below the belt. Way way below.

Then to cap this day, I lost 10% of my total bi monthly income. It is a big deal because I do not earn that much. I do not know how I lost it. It just got lost. The money did not like me. She is in better hands I hope. I could have used you to buy new shoes or the "Merlin" season one DVD. Please come back. I miss you already.

So now here I am thinking what the fuck will happen to me next. Buckle up, I am in for a fracking bumpy ride.

"Glee" Back on Track

My previous post about my thoughts on "Glee" says that I am starting to lose interest in the show. But with the latest episode of "Glee" consider me a fan once again.

This is the most relaxed episode since Chenoweth was on board. It was well paced, and it was not on crack like the previous episodes were, and the songs used are really good. Thank God. Singing "Defying Gravity" from "Wicked" was one of the best turns that the episode made. The diva off alone brought this show on track.

But Jane Lynch stole the whole show. I LOVE HER.

Depression Era

I have not been able to blog as promised, and I keep on saying that. I have this post it in my computer that says that I should blog at least three times a day, and lately I have not been blogging at all. I see movies, but I can not bring myself to compose an entry. I am too depressed.

Hi I am Douglas, I am 23 and I think that I have not done anything that would leave my mark on earth if I die right now. That is one thing that has been bugging me for days. I do not even get a good shut eye, I am a walking zombie.

But I do enjoy my french class. I am taking up french classes again. I took it when I was in college and did want to pursue it then. My professor said that I should go to a french school in the city where she also studied. It took me about four years to get there, now I am studying again, and I am enjoying every minute of it.

I still enjoy watching movies. I find Oscar "hopefuls" rather disappointing. So what I did was I looked for non Oscar baiting films instead, and the returns were awesome. You guys should really see "Samson and Delilah", God I love that movie. I love it a whole deal lot. If a movie could be as good even if you do not read the subtitles, then it must really be something special. It was. It is. It is a gem. You guys should see it. YOU SHOULD.

Anyways. Back to the reasons why I am depressed. My personal life is rocky rocky and REALLY ROCKY. Nuff said. What keeps me going is that I am fortunate enough to have someone who makes me happy.

Now back to normal blogging mode. I hope.

RacsOview: "In My Life" (2009)

... on second thought and viewing. It kinda was lame. Vilma overacted, Luis still sucked, and the story was really all over the place. My viewpoint on John Lloyd still stands, this is his best work to date....

C/C+

Glee

Ok this is just so messed up and funny hahaha

RacsOview: "Ded Na Si Lolo" (2009)

"Ded Na Si Lolo" Tells the story of a family grieving the death of their father. It is one-week wake where in the overacting sons and daughters of the dead all came together to say goodbye to their father for the last time. The sons and daughters all felt the urge to faint and burst out to tears and elongated monologues and hella noisy sobbing and crying.

The family had the problem of paying for the bills of the wake, the burial and all. Each of them are surprised to find something about themselves and the lives of people surrounding them which was brought about by the death of their father. A gay son. A sister with a grudge. A gay son again. Another family and so on.

Why Love it?
"Ded Na Si Lolo" is a lighthearted delight for the whole family. Yes it tackles on some delicate issues such as death, homosexuality, family stuff blah blah blah, but it was delivered in such a way that it was not that hard to digest. It was fun. I have to give it that.

Why Hate it?
In fact, I really hated it. Yes I had fun, I laughed here and there. But not that much fun. I never thought that a movie could get so noisy, then here comes this movie. It was very very noisy. It got up to the point that I was really really irritated that I had to cover my ears just to sit through it.

The story was a mess, and everything about it: the acting, the flow of the story, the sound were messy.

Plus I really have not seen that much originality with it, "Crying Ladies" and "Jay", two movies tackling about death and family, are both miles miles better.

In the end.
I guess this really is not my cup of tea. I want it to be better, I was waiting for it to get better, but it simply was not. If it was just shown on TV for a lifetime tv movie or something, I would say that it is good.

D+

RacsOview: "Mary and Max" (2009)

The Story"Mary and Max" tells the unlikely friendship by the young bullied Australian kid named Mary and an 40 something American, neurotic and mentally unstable Max. Mary was looking over an address book where her mom shoplifts for envelopes, then she found Max's name. She first asked where babies came from, thinking that babies are brought about differently in America. The story progressed with series of letters being sent back and forth up until they grew old.

They shared stories. They told stories of their neighbors, their deepest desires, their darkest of secrets, everything, scars and all. And that went on for year. Mary got married. Max got fat. Mary wrote a book about Asperger's which got Max really mad, which was the tipping point of the movie.

Why Love It?.
The writing was impeccable, witty, sharp and darkly comic. Mary and Max are very well thought of character and the story dug deep into their souls to emanate them on screen. You feel that the characters are real, real in such a way that you sympathize with them, you laugh with them, you cry with them. They made a connection with us, and that way we relate ourselves to them, bringing about our inner Marys and Maxs.

The pacing from start to finish did not lose any heat. The first half was snappy quick getting you set for the rollercoaster that was up ahead. No scenes feel as though they were just time fillers, every scene was important. Something that made going to the bathroom seems improbable. When you leave you might miss something out. You do not want to not see what happened.

The production design was darkly delicious. It feels like the neighborhood of "Nightmare Before Christmas". It was dark, black driven yet it was richly detailed.

Everything.

Why Hate It?
I do not know if there is anything to hate. I just love love love it. But trust me on this, this is not something that you want your toddlers to see. This is not a cartoon for the youngn's. You don't want them virgin minds to be polluted that early. Wait for the DVD and shelf it up until they are the right age. But then again...

In the End.
... it's main goal was not to be seen by many kids. It was set out to tell a story of friendship. A friendship that crosses borders, goes beyond any definition of friendship. Unconditional friendship. Friendship that you will treasure for the rest of your life.

Pretty much what I felt about the movie. For me it was a miraculous experience. And I will cherish that for a very very long time.

A/A+

Not So "Glee" Anymore...

I think I have been pretty vocal with what I felt with "Glee", at start that is. I think that the season peaked when Kristin Chenoweth was on it. That episode was to die for. It was everything I wanted it to be, and Chenoweth, my Chenoweth, my dear dear Chenoweth. I loved her in every minute she was in that episode. Her presence alone made that the best episode of the series (so far).

But all of that said, the succeeding episodes of "Glee" were giving diminishing returns. Don't get me wrong, I still enjoy watching it and still look out for it. But I am starting to lose interest. Most of the songs are corny and felt rushed. "Thong Song"? Come on! You guys can do better than that. Please. You guys should!

The season started off great (A- to B+ then A on that Chenoweth episode) now it is faltering (to C). Can't they just bring Chenoweth back?

Anyway. Here is "Alone" as performed by the goddess Chenoweth.... I have this song in heavy iPod rotation.

Best Dollhouse Episode Ever

I have been pretty mum about my feeling about the second season of Joss Whedon's "Dollhouse". I was not impressed with how the season is turning out and I am fearing for its life on television, I really do. I do not want this show to go off air because the first season showed so so so much promise.

The second season started off, like the first season, quite good, and intriguing. Then it started to falter as the season progressed. But with last week's episode, "Belonging", the season is starting to look good. It was by leaps and bounds, the best episode "Dollhouse" has ever shown, and with that episode, the curiosity is back, the excitement is there again and the longing to see the next ones. The writing was exceptional and the cast are having a blast.

I just wish that the next episode will be as good or better than "Belonging", here's me hoping that it will stay on air, where it belongs.