The Fault in Our Stars Movie Review

See, it has been a habit of mine to come up with reviews that no one cares anyway but I do enjoy doing it nonetheless. Anyway, it's becoming a trend nowadays to have book to film adaptations that had the book enthusiasts raving or rather fuming about it. It's kind of a double edge sword when it comes to these adaptations, whether you love it or it sucks and you demand your money back.

I was pretty excited to make a review because I had some great feels about the film. It reminded me of Korean films like Lovely Rivals and My Little Bride also a good mention would be So Close. The resemblance: the positive messages sent by the film and being a tear jerker at the same time. These are the ones that really pinch you straight through the heart. Other than the sniffing I kept on hearing at the back of the cinema, I'll move on to my film dissection.

So we have two cancer stricken lovers, then we all know how it will end. Basically, I just wanna see how it will pan out. The trailer was really good for me, what attracted me to watch it was Ansel Elgort and Shailene Woodley's overflowing chemistry. I'm a chemistry shipper so I base a lot on that when it comes to romantic films cause if ever the story sucks, the movie will still be bearable to watch.

Hazel Grace Lancaster is this cynical girl who lives with oxygen support due to her disease. It's a struggle just looking at her, being a nurse the first thought I had was where is her nasal cannula attached to, then boom you see it 'oh, she has a portable tank.' Then I wondered next what she does when she runs out of tank but then it's a film so I doubt they would show Hazel changing her tank.

Then we have Augustus "Gus" Waters, the charming, virgin cancer survivor with a metal leg. He is a ball of happiness and energy.

At the start you see how pole opposites they are but as the story progresses you see how alike they are. Hazel comes off to me as one’s ideals. At least most people see death as inevitable that everyone would turn to ashes one day; While Gus is an epitome of looking at a glass as half full rather than half empty. But when death comes knocking on their door, that's when you notice that both their demeanor is just a coping mechanism. No one really is spared by the hurt and anxiety that death can bring. You do not only worry about dying but also the people you leave behind.

We always say that having our family and friends is enough for us but really when that special person comes into our lives; it changes every spectrum of our being. Let's admit it, in reality we know how romantic love shakes us to our core and deep inside we all wish that one day that person would come knocking on our door or has already done so. Hazel in particular exemplified that in the film, when she fell in love it's like she's been brought to life. Being very sheltered throughout her life, it's like she's a living dead. Desperation sets in when she fell deeply and had a taste of what it's like to have someone other than her family who really cares about her. 

Their romantic story is a must for the hopeless romantics, it's very touching and powerful. Living everyday as if it's your last, hashtag YOLO; finding someone who can bring the best out of you and be there with you through sickness and in health; and beating a married couple by breathing the line of till death do them apart. And I know even though at times we think what's the point of loving when you know you're dying anyway; but like a line in the film, “You don't get to choose if you get hurt in this world...but you do have some say in who hurts you.” At the end of the day, everyone deserves happiness whether that will be short lived or not.

Some of the things I liked in the film as well were the family and friendship stories. I bet Hazel's mom got some bawling in tears too. Their mother-daughter relationship is very endearing. As well as Gus and Isaac's friendship is pretty cool.

I really liked Hazel and Gus's characters, Hazel a lot more, which prolly has something to do with Shailene's powerful performance. I have to say she totally outdid herself this time. She could probably relate more to Hazel whom she shares the same hobby and manner of thinking and speaking. I really hated her character in Divergent while Ansel was pretty much a gust in the wind in that film. Their characters are very complex and intricate. You just enjoy their dynamics and that tantamount chemistry that they showed off together.

Ansel though was such an eye candy, his smile is infectious. My only problem with him was when he was crying, it was excruciating to watch. He was very at ease with his light scenes. His sense of humor comes naturally to him but during drama scenes he really made me cringe. I hope he works on that.

So that's all, if you haven't seen it sorry if I spoiled you but still go check it out and see for yourself. It was pretty much worth my money I can say.  

300: Rise of an Empire Movie Review

I've read several good reviews about this film aside from the fact that I've always loved history and war movies so I'm really pumped up to watch this one.

I'll start off with the positive stuff for me that is. I liked how they showed us some background about Xerxes, Darius, Themistocles, Artemisia and even Queen Gorgo. History always sets the path for character development. Who the hell is Xerxes and how come until now he still sits comfortably in his throne? Why is Artemisia betraying her own blood? Etc, etc...

Anyway, the best positive I've seen would have to be what's most people are raving about. Artemisia as superbly portrayed by Eva Green, I am floored with her performance. Thus, my wallpaper tribute for her. Most people normally despise antagonists although I cannot say the same thing for me as I'm more of a villain fan. Ask me and I'll say protagonists are usually overrated. I hate one dimension characters, if I pursued theater acting I'd love to do either the enemy or the non stereotypical roles. Usually I ask for more fight scenes, more blood but with this one, I did not mind seeing more talking as I excitedly anticipate for her entry everytime. Her character is so fun to watch, toying with men, cunningly running the show. Makes you wanna scream you go girl. Too bad, she succumbed to her wrath until the very end. My heart would have been very happy for her alternative ending. Nonetheless, for me it's only right she ended up the way she did as it would look out of character if she softened in the end.

Onto the other ending that I'm brewing in my head, I almost thought it would happen when Queen Gorgo was narrating as if Artemisia suddenly had an epiphany in the end. I was actually rooting for Themistocles and Artemisia, I know too good to be true but hey the chemistry is really noticeable so can't blame me. The line that got me though was, "You fight harder than you fuck." Lol. So I was thinking will she give in to his offer and live another day even possibly have a life with someone who can keep up with her wits or take away her own life when surrendering is just too much to fathom for her. Yeah those were running in my head.

Moving on, the not so likeable about the film, first would be the fight scenes. The sci-fi-ish blood shed is just a no-no to me and the jumping off a hundred foot cliff with a perfect landing. Are we watching superheroes or men who were named heroes in the history books? There will most definitely be a sequel as Xerxes is still yet to use his gigantic figure in battle so I hope they stray from this path and stick to battle of the real men.

Themistocles, as portrayed by Sullivan Stapleton, he kind of lacked the charisma of a general in the battlefield. I don't expect him to look rugged as Athens is known to be the brains of Ancient Greece while Sparta are the brawns so that justifies the boyish over manly appeal. However, you always look for charisma  in a leader in which Sullivan lacks plus I was looking for conviction and fighting spirit in his voice that fell short in my expectation. If you are in a battle with a small army who will go up against a mammoth size of Persians you will most likely need a lot of inspiration and encouraging words from your leader.

Those are the things I've noticed but let me add on my sidenotes. The not so important aspects yet people look for anyway. There were less abs and muscles, the Athens are definitely doing more studying than fighting. So depends on your taste if you like the lean muscular or those hard ripped biceps and six packs.

Anyway, comparing it to the first movie, I can say that Butler just put 300 to greater heights but this one is still entertaining enough. So I really wouldn't say waste of money.

My Book Thief (Film) Review, nuff said

First of all don't expect me to compare the book and the film coz I haven't read the book yet for a reason. Now, onto my not so critique film review.

I enjoyed watching this film simply because it was like a mixture of youth and maturity. You put a child in a chaotic era that I was able to witness her childhood experiences. You see different forms of love, happiness and despair in the eyes of a child. So it's kinda refreshing yet gripping. I read somewhere that the book is a bit dark yet in the film it seems to me only the setting was actually dark in a sense because it was set around world war II so there were some violence depicted in it. 

Well anyway let me say that what I loved about it is how humane the film was as it captivates emotions and experiences of the protagonist. Losing your mother at a young age then sent to a foster family, having to cope with education as she learns how to read and love doing it as time goes by and in the end spoiler here, losing all your loved ones, so tragic if I may say. Liesel's passion for reading is just amazing, she started not knowing how to read yet eventually she goes beyond that and does unimaginable things just to pursue that passion. It will put to shame most people who know how to read. And it makes me wonder why in this world, those who have the luxury to be gifted in every way are just taking things for granted while those unfortunate ones will move heaven and earth just to do what they love.

Acting wise, surely not an eyesore. Basically it ticks me off watching a badly acted film. Sophie Nelisse will go a long way in the showbiz industry. My favorite in the movie though would have to be Emily Watson, such a joy to watch.

Erm, well...as a personal take on what I always notice in a film, so I'm a chemistry shipper. And as one, I would have to say that I saw that in Ben Schnetzer and Sophie Nelisse as Max and Liesel respectively. Yeah age difference I know, well what is age? That's just a number. Has anyone seen Silver Linings Playbook and Ruri no Shima? (not a romance series but damn their chemistry, this also cemented my idolism for Riko Narumi)

Anyway, as a person who loves to read and write, I definitely recommend this movie. It reminds me of how words are more powerful than we'll ever know.  

The Apocalypse Run Review-ish and Everything Else

A very productive way to get back at blogging which is releasing all my rage by ranting. My cranky day started at waking up late and making my pal wait, yeah of course she has the license to be even crankier. And we're wondering God knows how to get there, with the taxi driver not knowing his $h!zz asking people how to get to Circuit Makati. 

And finally when we got there, it appears there's something wrong. We won't be getting our singlets and we're not alone. So I asked this organizer where are the singlets? You did post on your fb site that you'll be releasing unclaimed singlets at the venue. Then he told me the delivery guy is still in Quiapo. So we had to run without one. Onto the baggage counter, it was a literal leaving your baggage. Our stuff were labeled using a packaging tape and pentel pen then dumped onto a number of other bags lying on the floor. 

Now let me describe how the track looks like as I'm too lazy to include photos. It was a construction site wherein we had to run in a concrete road with some rocky parts and sandy atmosphere. Describing the splash run, there was a firetruck spraying the runners then the color run is achieved by crawling under a black sheet, the paint was splayed on a thin wooden plank. Yes you have the option to avoid them. Next is the obstacle run which urges you to get through a short criss crossed garter roadblock that you can easily go through. As you keep on running you'll be given a hot water refill(pun intended) as you brace yourselves with the entry of the dreaded zombies. Man, they really scared the $h!zz outta me, not! Prepare to get chased...by selfies. They don't chase or scare in my POV, that really let me down plus the makeup wasn't really up to par. One person who left a feedback said that the zombies were outnumbered by a helluva lot for them to even cause fear. According to some people there were in fact water balloons in the last part that you can throw at their zombies, too bad after the first wave their supplies lasted. It would have been a great way for me to unleash my frustration. Then after that you just make your way back and proceed to the boring after party. 

We went back after the run to follow up our singlet and there were already other people who were fuming towards that same organizer we first encountered so I had an inkling we'll end up empty. Still, I asked him again where's the delivery person, he answered in Alabang. I had a feeling he's just lying to get us to shut up but you know when people are misleading you, it's just spurring you on. I wanted to shout at him or strangle him so they would be able to see what a real apocalypse run would look like hehehe. But that's not what a sane person would do and it's pretty much useless arguing with someone who doesn't know a thing. It would just make you look smaller and foolish. 

It seems to me, they were trying to achieve an Apocalypse dimension but failed miserably. The production was too cheap for their own good or should I say ours coz it felt like we were totally ripped off as it was originally priced at P850, only had ours at 500+ via metrodeal. With no singlet and a very disappointing run, it was no doubt not worth your money. This event did not meet my expectation, I know I don't run often but events like this should make you feel good not robbed. 

There must be a reason why my pal kept asking me before if we'll still be able to claim our singlet and then I read that you can still register onsite for P850 without a singlet. Oh, the power of that nagging feeling at the back of your head. 

The only saving grace is being in the good company of someone you enjoy hanging out with and doing these kinda things. Only goes to show any activity can still be fun with the kind of people around you. 

Onto the Verdict: Waste of money, very disorganized and disappointing, The Great Events Plus Phil. Inc. should start getting their $h!zz together if they wanna pull a good one in their upcoming events. I'm sure the bad feedbacks would snowball across the running community.

Just The Way It Is

Ever wonder why no matter how much better you have done compared to the other, you are still by no means ever considered. It just proves how much you can't force someone to like you. Heck you can't even force yourself to just like back someone who likes you, that would have made things much easier. Of course we all wish that the person we fancy will reciprocate but it doesn't happen all the time in the real world.

It's either you'd be thankful for being let down nicely or annoyed that you weren't taken seriously. Nonetheless, holding grudges over love is ancient artifact, quoting Travie here. It is definitely not the end of the world yet it still hurts like hell, no doubt about that. And as much as you wish to move on faster so you can be friends again, it's not as easy as it sounds. Some people say the faster way to get over is to find another love interest. Makes sense but can you? That's most likely a rebound, it's pretty offending to someone else to be the person on the receiving end.

Either way, in summary that's just the way life is, enjoy and suck it up.

Breaking Free

Taking one step at a time. Life is difficult, whoever said it was easy is kidding himself.

My dad and I had a huge argument today, I'm getting fed with the way he controls my life. It's making me feel worthless and helpless at the same time. And he doesn't understand this. I get it that he's having a hard time getting a hold of himself as being a control freak, pardon for the word but that's the exact description. All of us seem to complain about the same thing. I know it's his way of assuring himself that he's needed but it's getting other people down that's why it's pissing me off.

This is actually nothing new, the arguments kind of lessened already these days prolly because I stopped giving a damn and became more patient about it or maybe he tried to give me some slack too. But when your life is a mess of course there'll come a time that you'd just snap and blurt what the hell is wrong. I never thought I'd be yelling stop controlling my life or planning for me. It's liberating at the same time, it makes me feel guilty too for raising my voice but hey I hope it shed some light.

We used to fight loads of times back when I was in highschool. It's no secret that my dad is too uptight and I'm very vocal of how I feel before. That's why we'd often engage in verbal sparrings that rock the house all night long. Apparently after sometime I took after my brother's way of dealing with it, just shutting up when we argue. It was hard at first because like I said I am an outspoken person but I also learned patience did me good because I feel bad when I say things that I would regret later on when I'm angry. And shutting up and avoiding argument provides that besides there's no winning with someone who won't listen.

So I just kept things to myself but it still upsets me that when he gets mad he'd accuse me of things like being selfish, crazy, stupid. And no matter how I try to brush it off, I'm still human and it gets me down eventhough I know he didn't mean it like that because he's mad. I get it, we all say things that we know would upset other people when we're angry. I never told them that I'm ashamed of myself because I have no job for 3 years. They never knew how I was shamed by some previous employers because I don't want the pity party or for them to feel bad about it. I tried to concentrate on the good things in life just so they would never notice how depressed I get that I did cry loads of times at night. And it hurts when after trying your best to please them, you'd come across as selfish.

I think my dad feels I don't appreciate their help I do, it's just that I need to do things for myself too so I can feel I'm not worthless and helpless. I'm starting to feel like I don't wanna be a nurse anymore because our current situation is totally depressing. But still I'm thankful that it made me understand how humans behave, feel, if only my parents knew Masslow's Hierarchy of Needs they'd totally get me or Erikson's psychosocial development theory. I need this as much as they do.

My Love for Privacy

I know I haven't been steering my own wheel like forever but if there's something I'm not willing to give up anytime soon, it's my privacy.

Well, my favorite places at home are my room and the bathroom so yeah that's how much I value my privacy. I love killing time and I don't like to be bothered much when I'm drifting in my own thought bubble. Sorry for sounding standoffish but that's how I roll.

Funny that when I see my room in order I get a bit irked even though I shouldn't be because who doesn't like cleanliness and orderliness? Well, I'd rather see my stuff in disarray at least I know where to find them.

Moreover, I don't like to be snooped at what I'm reading or checking out something. Whatever that is lol. And hands off to my belongings unless you asked permission.

I'm a 23 year old young adult yeah so privacy is that important to me. Just had to throw this one in because I'm being pushed in that direction concerning my career and it's threatening an important part of my life.