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Friday, July 16, 2004
So obviously, I've been quite busy over the weekend going to different malls and spending quality time with different groups (?) of people. Ahh... The magic of movies.
Anyway, in case you're wondering (though I'm quite sure you're not), I saw Spiderman 2 at Festival Mall with my parents, my sister and the priest who stayed over at our house last week (as part of the homestay program of the week-long Catholic priests Assembly/Congregation held at the WTC in Roxas Blvd. We were one of the lucky families chosed to sponsor one of them). We saw the last full show on a Thursday evening--it was the emptiest theatre I've ever seen. Anyway, that Saturday, my sister and I went to SM Southmall to be able to see 2 movies (Mean Girls, The Prince and Me), since the tickets there are cheaper. And then, come Tuesday afternoon, I met with my friend in school (Yes, I actually went back to school but only for the Job Fair (Wha?!? I'm looking for a job now?! (Unfortunately yes, do you know any prospects for an IS graduate of DLSU?))) and we went to see Kill Bill 2 at ATC.
With that said, I hope you appreciate my reviews/opinions, as I just explained, I traveled the Alabang-Zapote road (although it's really just a short distance) for it. Now, on to the feature presentation...
Spiderman 2
 Truth be told, I didn't really like the first one, and so I wasn't at all excited when I heard that the sequel was coming out this year. I guess that also means I wasn't expecting much from it. And so I wasn't disappointed.
What I really liked about this movie, was that they'd revealed Peter Parker's identity. I really don't like it when they build up too much suspense regarding that, I mean, it's as if they can't think of anything else to make the story more exciting. But because here, the whole, revealing identity's out of the way, then it would surely be great to see what they have in store for the 3rd installment. Other than that, I completely agree with Kirsten Dunst when she said that, had Peter Parker not also been Spiderman, then their lives (or at least how the script made their lives look) would almost exactly be like a soap opera, with all the complicated love stuff. I'm not a big fan of soap operas, but I liked the speech Mary Jane gave at the end where she told Peter to respect her to make her own decision. Somehow, it made Mary Jane's 'damsel in distress' image more tolerable.
Another thing I noticed about this movie was that for an action super hero flick, it certainly had a lot of funny stuff, enough even for me to have categorized it under 'comedy'. Although I'm pretty sure not a lot of people will agree with me, what with all the cars they destroyed and all. They must've showed at least 10 cars being wrecked individually, and a heck of a lot more collectively. In fact, I don't remember an action sequence here that didn't end (or start) without a car crashing.
Lastly, yes, I purposefully chose a Spiderman picture wherein Tobey's wearing the spidey suit and James is in the business one as (you may have guessed), I totally like James Franco better than Tobey Maguire. And, it's mostly because of that why I can't wait for the 3rd film, since he's going to turn even more evil. Hehehe...
Mean Girls
 Much as I hate to admit it, I'm actually fond of teeny bopper chick flicks such as this one, and shallow this next statement may make me seem, I have to say that I liked this movie.
Sure, the story was really all about high school girls telling on each other and getting crazy, making the image of women (teenagers) even lower as they all appear to be scheming skanks (and mostly all because of guys), but it was nonetheless entertaining as somehow, it was able to make a point--how high school was like a jungle, the students like wild animals with predators and prey, and how appearances shouldn't be the basis of friendships, etc. Although, when you think about it, everybody says those things, but nothing really changes.
In any case, I think the whole concept of a girl who grew up in Africa where her parents were researchers, going to a 'normal' school for the first time only when she's 16-years-old is pretty cool.
Kill Bill
 Several days ago, my friend and I were just discussing this film over the phone and we both agreed that we weren't very much impressed with it. Really. I wasn't impressed with the first film, and neither am I with the 2nd one. I know a lot of people probably wouldn't agree with me, but I'm a bit past caring what other people think.
I mean, the plot sucked. A lot of dialogue were still cliche (My hatest line: " You and I have unfinished business." Like, what, is she a ghost?), and although it was feasible that all of that could happen when trained assasins cross paths, it is undeniable that the whole story was just about revenge. And for what? Because of some personal problem that, is really a bit overused in action films. How many times have children and getting pregnant been used in order to show the 'soft spot' of supposedly strong, hardened criminal characters? Really, I don't think it can get any more no-brainer than that.
In the films defense though, I really think that Quentin Tarantino wasn't really concentrating on the plot when he thought of making an action film that would be groundbreaking, and that's probably why the story isn't any good. There were no insights about life, nothing that affects the society, nothing new to learn, except maybe in Bill's Superman speech (although personally, I think the reason Superman made Clark Kent such a weakling was because a geeky farmboy seemed like the least possible suspect to be Superman's alter ego, thereby protecting his identity more, and not because he views human beings as losers.), but other than that (and that's just one thing, out of everything that's been said throughout the film)... The only positive thing I can say about this film is that it's technically brilliant. The effects were great ( personal favorite: the scene where Uma was being buried alive and the whole screen went black, but the sound effects were still heard, giving the audience the feeling of being buried alive themselves), the camera angles were fantastic ( favorite: the scene shot from the ceiling of Budd's trailer, with Budd lying dead on one side, and the girl with the eyepatch (really sorry I forgot her name) gathering the scattered bills on the other, while they're surrounded by very dirty, very disorderly things), and the amount of surprise and suspense were just right ( favorite: when Uma opened the door, only to be hit right away by Budd's gun). Definitely, I loved the end credits where Uma was driving, the screen was black and white, and the credits weren't rolling up the screen, having the feel of the old classics. Also, the way in which Quentin Tarantino put together in just one film, animation, black and white scenes, and colored scenes for both past events and present was great. Nothing seemed disconnected, despite the differences in style. But like I said, the technical aspect is all there is to rave about this film.
The fight scenes were great, and it's all very entertaining, but that's about it. Maybe I'm biased, but really, there is no way, I am ever going to believe that one single, caucasian woman, was able to take out all those Crazy88s, in a matter of minutes, and then beat their leader (O-Ren Ishii) just a few moments later. No matter how much training she got from that Chinese guy (Pai Mei) in the mountains, it's just not possible. Especially the part wherein the Japanese guys became afraid of The Bride, and just ran away looking like sissies. I know it's never good to generalize, but really, the Japanese don't have a putload of films about honor if they actually ran away from their battles like cowards, even if they are still young and the whole WWII militarism's over.
 So, overall, I'd say this is a film made only to entertain and impress audiences, and not impart anything useful to ponder on. Mostly, that's why I don't like it.
So you must think me weird now for actually saying that I liked Mean Girls more than Kill Bill. But, to each his own, right? And besides, I'm not a professional movie critic, so my opinion doesn't really matter to the world. That's why I'm putting it in a blog.
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Ida /ee-da/ n. 1. Born on September 17, 1984. 2. Likes people to greet her on her birthday. 3. Loves reading books but hates buying them and always prefers them as gifts. 4. Has a sudden liking for mysteries. 5. A little too obvious when hinting for presents.
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Quote for the Time Being "Practice makes perfect."
"Nobody's perfect."
"Then, why practice?!" :P
Links Sources on the Yasutoko Brothers Goodskates, Inc. - the Official Website of the Yasutokos - contains news about the brothers schedules, message, accomplishments, and also information about their family skatepark in Kobe, Japan.
Yasutoko--Aggrist! - Korean fan site about the brothers. The text is in Korean, but pics, videos and music are great! And if you look back far enough in the guestbook, you'll find an entry from Eito Yasutoko himself!
Bikes, Boards, Blades Website - one of the most interesting (and I think most accurate) articles written about the Yasutoko brothers. A little old, but still a good read.
Sk8Mag.de - interview of Takeshi Yasutoko after winning the gold medal in the Redbull Highrollers Competition 2003. (Site is originally in German, hope this link from Google translates to English directly.)
Watch Them Fly - Exclusive Interview with The Yasutoko Brothers - interview with the Yasutoko brothers when they went to Malaysia in 2002. (Courtesy of X-Fresh Malaysia, an on-line magazine)
Takeshi Yasutoko conquers the Asian X-Games! - about Takeshi's 98.25 and plenty more info on the Asian X-Games 2004. (Again, courtesy of X-Fresh Malaysia--it's such a nice website)
The Sun, Rising, Jumping and Spinning at High Velocity / Who Says Men Can't Fly? / Awaiting X-Games X / Double WHAT?! / Re-vert / How I Wish... / All in the Family / Growing Up... - my entries with links regarding the Yasutokos Bloggers... zee rocks ...
...stranded.incinerated...
...the daily inquibbler...
...leli mcbealisms...
...names don't matter...
...anticipating serendipity...
...la bellissima...
...flicker of dreams...
...in the hidden pages of my notebook...
...a fool's prerogative...
...times like these...infinite sadness...
...polka dots...
...story of a girl...
...waking dream...
...thinking out loud...
...**kisses...
...kitkat56...
...a pitcher plant story...
...stardust...
...diary of honey...
...mind drifter...
...beauty...
...ves...
...endless episode...
...all about mardk...
...bittersweet avenue...
...push...
...journeys...
...by myself, but never alone...
...sole insanity...
...barenaked...
...un monde parfait...
My Other Sites Wala Lang!
fanfiction.net
Fiction Press
.products of imagination.
...between trailers...
+Ed is On+
**nocturnal screen
Dokomademou Ikou More Other Sites ...ang mahiwagang turron...
...EXPN Website...
...Asian X-Games...
...ESPN TV Schedule...
...Japanese Language Tutorial...
My Favorites The Result of Boredom and Obsession - my first entry. why I decided to create a blog.
Who Invented Blogs? - discussion on my fascination with blogs
Coming Clean, Theory and Back to the Obsession- an attempt at an explanation on why I'm still single.
I don't have a title for this one and that's okay - the freedom of the internet
Sense of Relationship - why some people remain single all their lives
Start - how I got obsessed with the Yasutoko Brothers in the first place
Is Fate With Me Or Against Me? - read how I met Takeshi Yasutoko in person, and how it saved my life (or, maybe it's more the opposite--you decide)
Science of Love - how "talking about love is like dancing about architecture."
I'm Wishing on the Sun - Can stars really make wishes come true?
Out of Character - how sometimes even your closest friends can surprise you
Where Can You Find Romance? - an attempt at grasping reality in Metro Manila
Back-to-School Blues - I don't have to go to school anymore!
I Should've Seen Filipinas Instead - discovering Mikel Campos
Recommended Fanfiction - I love fanfiction. Here are some of my favorites. Please check them out!
Change - It's hard enough to be yourself, why try to be somebody else?
And I'm Back - an account of my experience in Singapore and Bangkok
More Reasons to Watch Local Television - on Hero Angeles and Sandara Park
Minor de Edad at Walang Trabaho - musings at the hospital
Sleepwalking - some people can be dangerous, even when they're asleep
Follow Up - an update on Mikel Campos, and the link to his Candymag interview.
Mail Call - I got my diploma on Friday the 13th!
Yet Another Obsession - lyrics to Drake Bell's song "Girl Next Door"
I don't have a title again - Drake, Orly, and irritating cellphone servers
Creepy Coincidence - Is it really possible to be 'one of a kind'?
24 - countdown to my 20th birthday
Surprise! - a birthday surprise
Birthday Season - the advantage/disadvantage of September
Now Do I Have a Life? - one busy week
Which One's the Cutest? - Drake Bell and his cute puppies
The Last Man Standing - "I think therefore I'm single."
Risking Friendship - How many friends do you lose when you get into a relationship?
Missing - the winter camp brought about just one feeling
Environmental Complaints - why can't people just throw trash properly?
Irrelevant Information - what I'm interested in
Mind Over Matter - stubbornness works!
Three Day Weekend - review for the Korean Drama Full House
Ito Na Ang Update - after a brief hiatus...
Insatiable? - Man is insatiable. I am not.
Cue Girls Swooning - the start of an affection for Daniel Wu
4-Day Forecast - paano ba dapat malungkot?
FF7:Advent Children - a film worthy of the name Final Fantasy
Something There - Edison obsession
Hunter x Hunter - astig si Hisoka!
Comics Among Other Things - Blitzworx is finally out!
Ito Na Ang Orange Range - jpop/jrock/jrap? basta astig sila!
The Ida Precision Test - in case I ever get kidnapped by aliens...
2005 Review - just what the title says
Just Because I Was Tagged - something I refuse to list down
This is the Last Time... - moving on? Or just moving?
Busy Busy Busy - cosplay, UP fair and J-Pop at the Shang
It is this feeling... - Do you really need someone to fall in love with, to fall in love?
Happy Meals - Missing, Take 2
It's Gotta Be the Hair - and so starts the Abarai Renji obsession :P
Moving Forward - Change. It's constant.
The IDA Curse - See my true power! Hehehe. :P
On Meeting People - I hate meeting new people.
TV Series on DVD Killed the Hollywood Star - because Hollywood movies are getting suckier by the minute
What I Miss the Most - the only thing I miss about college
A Rather Late Account of the Komikon 2007 - Mangaholix 3!
Into the Woods and Another World - aftermath of a broadway musical and an anime convention
5 Days in Palawan - available in bookstores now! LitsPamaypay - a Filipino short story, set in high school Nicholas Was... - a short story about Christmas by Neil Gaiman For Ragnarok Addicts - Neil Gaiman's technology-addiction-related poem, " Virus" Heart Attack - just a bunch of pick-up lines related to heart problems A Tail of Two Kitties - writings that suck, but are funny nonetheless Juvenile Poetry - poem by my friend from HS While Waiting Alone in the Stock Room - my 100th entry! just some musings about life. Unfair - why can't people just feel the same way? Bumalik na Alaala - time heals all... "wounds" Sasayaw Kayo? - when someone's wearing the same color... Jeepney - libreng pamasahe? Pagmumuni-muni sa Daan - araw-araw akong naglalakad mag-isa. Gusto Kong Sumikat - tulad ng araw... Boracay Night - the beach isn't as romantic as everyone thinks Ang Ganda ng Kalikasan - nature rocks! Musings on the Road - English version? :P Rain - isn't the rain just so poetic? How Much? - how much can a person feel for another? On the Way, In the Way - an attempt at at Renji/Rukia fanfic Laughing and Smiling - irony of feelings? Bookworm in Distress - or maybe, damsel in distress in a bookstore. Time Flies - trying my hand at poetry (yet again) A Beginner's Tale - fooling around with TalecraftReviews Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
The Burglar in the Rye
Alamat ng Gubat
Wander Girl
Boy Meets Girl
Parman
Kikomachine Komix Blg.1
Watchers
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
Zsa Zsa Zaturnnah Ze Musikal
Quiz Results & Stuff 
be sorted @ nimbo.net
| How to make a miriyammqx |
Ingredients:
5 parts intelligence
5 parts humour
5 parts joy |
Method:
Stir together in a glass tumbler with a salted rim. Add lovability to taste! Do not overindulge! |
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