It’s been a while since I rented DVDs. I was hooked on the many new KDramas that aired before the year ended. I just couldn’t insert Hollywood in between episodes. So right around Christmas week, I returned my Blockbuster envelopes after they scattered around the house for months for new DVDs. Allow me to digress and explain how my rental routine works.
I signed up for Blockbuster’s online rental; just like NetFlix, only better. I say better because I can return my envelopes at my assigned Blockbuster store for free DVD rentals — 1 DVD for 1 envelope. The rental rules applies. While I have the DVD from the store, the online rental will already send me whatever is next in my queue (availability of the title succeeds the queue). Again, if I return 1 envelope, they’ll send me 1 DVD also. In essence, I’m getting twice as many DVDs.
Back on topic — this weekend, I saw three good films: Meet Bill, Step Brothers, and Traitor.
Meet Bill is a story about identity crisis. I enjoyed it because Elizabeth Banks was hot and not because of the story. The story was okay, but left hanging just like its characterization. Aaron Eckhart’s personification of Bill was praiseworthy and Banks’ body display was delightful to my eyes.
Step Brothers is a story of two middle-aged men becoming stepbrothers after their parents remarried. It’s another one of those Will Ferrel films where everything is blown out of realistic proportion. It’s stupid funny.
Traitor is a story of an FBI undercover who was of Sudanese decent from Chicago (sounds familiar?) He is caught between his beliefs and reality. He sacrificed himself in order to battle terrorism that killed his father and at the same time, he is battling to keep intact his spiritual beliefs. I consider this film to be one of the year’s best because it is substantial overall. It wasn’t overloaded with Hollywood effects and at the same time the story wasn’t dragging. The audience would know that Samir was undercover, but the film would still grab one’s curiosity. That’s because of the nature of the characters, one cannot know what will happen to Samir in the end.
I strongly suggest to anyone the movie Traitor. You won’t regret it.
I was so happy when I found this film (with English subtitle) at a torrent tracker. Early this morning, I watched this Korean movie and I wasn’t particularly pleased. I already expected the movie to be dark, so that didn’t bother me. What bothered me the most was the language. Joe Odagiri spoke Japanese and the rest Korean and for some reason, all characters can understand each other. It seemed to me that production gave up on the language barrier and totally ignored it hoping the audience can make themselves understand. Uhmmm… not me!
The particular symbolism used weren’t too familiar to me which is the other shortcoming on my behalf. A few touches of gothic humor gave me a few shortlived laughters. Odagiri’s acting, however, was brilliant. Especially the part when he almost went crazy, it was superb. Both actors did not fail my expectations in their craft. Lee Ran was a perfect character for Lee Na Young.
If not for the acting prowess of Odagiri and Lee, I would have trashed the film. It was artisitc, but filled with loopholes and unrealism.
Before December begins, I should have used all my vacation days from work. It was the last two weeks of November. Usually, I spend my vacation in the overseas, but this year, I opted for a domestic trip with Frances.
I did not plan the trip ahead of time like I usually do things. Planning a trip most of the time does not work for me because things happen in between. I’ve been irking to go south this time, especially to Texas. It has been in the back of my head. Only financial burden and fear was pinning me down. That’s another thing why I don’t plan my trips; I get over the fear. So during the weekend when I picked up Frances from the airport (she came from Las Vegas, but originally from Vancouver, BC) I was thinking about the trip while driving. From there, I decided to do it. Face the music later.(more…)
It is indeed the first time that Bb. Joyce Bernal disappointed me. Over the weekend, I had the patience to watch the first starring film by KC Concepcion opposite Richard Gutierrez. I don’t know why Kookie had the “fortitude” to promote this high school skit; maybe, just maybe she was desperate. (more…)
It’s very rare to find an actor with superb acting skills. My taste in films often does not agree with the public. I have no background in films, but I’m pretty firm in my belief of what a good film comprises of. My choice in watching a movie or a serial is greatly influenced by the cast. If my taste in a piece is unusual, I think that my taste in actors is more unusual. My favorite actor of all time is Jason Lee. Not so many elite moviegoers would even have him in their top-100. (more…)
I’m so excited for this Korean film to come out on torrent (oopps!) Starring the two of my most favored actors — Joe O-dagiri (Shinobi) and Lee Na Young (Somebody Special), I have to see the film. The big screen release is early October, so a subtitled DVD quality should be out early next year. This will be another tear-jerker and depressing movie, but it’s the substance that matters including the excellent acting that I will be expecting from the two. This will be the second O-dagiri piece I’ll be seeing and it’s been a while since Lee made a project. If you want to know why I’m expecting the best of this, check the stream below.
As I was checking blogs off my blogroll, I noticed that my ads are McCain oriented. Data mining capability of Google is really amazing. I don’t have to say which party I tend to lean, yet it knows. I’m not a registered voter and I don’t think I’ll be, but I’m openly a Republican. I guess it’s in my nature to go against the grain because I live in an urban area and urbanites tend to be democrats.
Especially in this year’s election. I think that the democratic party is a joke. They should have found someone more effective because McCain is a tough contender. I think if they had Kerry run again, they may have a chance. I won’t make any prediction save one. Hollywood will vote Obama because the vocal these celebrities about supporting Obama, they think that the masses will watch their movies. If you have Pamela Anderson screaming she’s voting Obama, I think you have to think who to vote again. It may be better to vote for Perot if he runs again.
Before you comment on my opinion, it is solely mine and I did not do any research on each candidate’s platform or issues. These are solely my hunch based on the years I’ve “kind of” observe these men.
It’s very rare to find an actor with superb acting skills. My taste in films often does not agree with the public. I have no background in films, but I’m pretty firm in my belief of what a good film comprises of. My choice in watching a movie or a serial is greatly influenced by the cast. If my taste in a piece is unusual, I think that my taste in actors is more unusual. My favorite actor of all time is Jason Lee. Not so many elite moviegoers would even have him in their top-100.