Day 12: Favourite movies

I'm not going to rack my brains in identifying my favorite among the thousands of films that I've seen in my lifetime but here are some of the movies I saw in the last three months, most of which I watched in succession during my recent long-haul flight.

1. The Devil Wears Prada (2006)
Like most girls, this is a sure pick-me-up for me. Whenever I want to watch something nice but couldn't find any good movie, I always choose Devil Wears Prada. Haha. It stars Meryl Streep, it's funny, there are really good clothes and makeup in every frame and Anne Hathaway is pretty. What's not to like?

2. Going in Style (2017)
Three old men, Morgan Freeman, Michael Caine, and Alan Arkin, tried to rob a bank. You can't go wrong with a feel-good movie and a solid cast like this.

3. I, Daniel Blake (2016)
This is an independent British film, mostly a social commentary of the current flaws of the British welfare system and how it affects the needy in a domino-effect manner. Viewers from developing countries wish for welfare systems like this and so they might not be able to sympathize with the issues presented in the film. But overall, this movie leaves an uncomfortable after-taste as if you were asked to swallow a bitter reality. 

4. The Circle (2017)
Tom Hanks and Emma Watson. What can possibly go wrong?
Everything.

5. Snowpiercer (2013)
Well-made apocalyptic film - a unique concept, solid acting and fresh faces (at least for Western audiences) - from Bong Joon Ho.

6. Bohemian Rhapsody (2018)
The story felt like it was taken out from Wikipedia, meaning the movie showed what everybody knows about Queen and Freddie Mercury. But the beauty of the film was not in the story - it's the storytelling, execution, and quality that made it a treat for all the viewers. I left the cinema with a huge smile on my face and much love for Queen and their songs. What else should you ask for?

#Closing2013: Highlights and Lowlights

So here we are, two days away from ending the year. The year that was a whirlwind of new experiences, wave of several emotions, and the start of my quarter-life crisis.

Fresh from my board exam success, post-college trauma hit me hard. I ended up working for a job where my father used to be at for 10 years. Not that I was complaining since, of course, there are perks. But it can only take me so far. Let me talk about that later.

WORK was okay. The industry is very tough and all the employees are in constant pressure to live in the office. There are weeks when I work for 15hours everyday, only going home to sleep for 4hours then get back to work again. I was losing more sleep at work than during our thesis week. But honestly I had no problem about that. Working hard is not a new concept to me.

With work goes the income and SAVINGS. I am proud to say that I have been trained by my parents to manage my income very well. My savings account is one of the few things that I am proud of this year.

I got my chance to TRAVEL to Bangkok this year, thanks to my father. He was there for official business so he allowed me to tour myself in the country. Three days of touring all the nook and crannies of Bangkok made me realize that travel really gives one a richer soul. I think I am a sight-seeing and soul-searching kinda girl.

They say absence makes the heart grow fonder. I can count in my  hands the number of times that I have seen my dearest FRIENDS this year. We had an intimate dinner at Army Navy (we saw Derek Ramsay), went to Intramuros for a mini-fieldtrip / walkathon (we were kids like that) , had a christmas bonding at Alabang. I had a Tagaytay getaway with my college friends and overnight swimming with Eric, Carlo and company. All the other weekends were spent resting.

Those are all the highlights that were memorable to me this year.

The one, major lowlight for me this year is my CAREER. My fucking career. First, I am not very happy that my first job has my father's name all over the place. I got well-known so fast by the big bosses not because of my skills, but because they are friends with my father. I was introduced to every Amkor employee as "the daughter of Perry Cruz." It is equally frustrating that I felt that I was getting nowhere with this job. Maybe it's too early to tell, or maybe I just have to trust my gut that tells me I am planted in the wrong soil.

I heard harsh words from my father as to how I handle my career, my DECISIONS and my life over all. Can I blame him? I don't work that hard. I am not interested with the assembly industry. The amount of effort that I put in my job right now is not even a quarter of what I know I could give. Yes, my father was utterly disappointed with me.

I didn't know it has to be this hard. But then, I didn't know that in a span of one year, life can teach me a lot of things. That maybe, I just have to accept the fact that I am a baby in the real world with nothing on hand and everything to learn. I can't always get what I want. There will be a lot of REJECTIONS and DISAPPOINTMENTS. But what should set me aside is my passion.

That drive that makes me wake up every morning and face whatever the day may bring to me. The passion that will make me fulfilled every time I go home for the fact that I went out there and challenged myself. I know it's hard to find, but I had it once... and I know I can find it again.

LIFE slapped me the fact that I am not a kid anymore. Nobody will make decisions for me. I am accountable to every consequences that my decisions will bring. I will be the one to benefit and suffer from it. It is what makes everything scary. I finally understood the weight of taking risks. Every decision that I make will impact my life five to ten years from now.

"It's not hard to decide what you want your life to be about. What's hard is figuring out what you're willing to give up in order to do the things you really care about."

MOVING FORWARD. Life will always have its trade-offs. There are things we need to sacrifice in order to get what we want. Nothing is free, even decisions.

But I cannot get out of this soil if I won't make a decision to move forward, upward. It's not always a guarantee but I have to do it. I am not getting any younger. The best time to take risks, explore different opportunities is now. I won't be able to do half the things that I want when I get older and attached.

#2013 overwhelmed me with reality. The goodness of life and all the bad things that came with it. I take with me all the learnings and experiences and I leave all the bad things behind. I can't stress this enough but #2014 is my Year of the Great Uncertainty. I honestly don't know where to go -- literally and figuratively. But any how, it is the only way to go and I look forward to it.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower

"I know these will all be stories someday. And our pictures will become old photographs. We'll all become somebody's mom or dad. But right now these moments are not stories. This is happening, I am here and I am looking at her. And she is so beautiful. I can see it. This one moment when you know you're not a sad story. You are alive, and you stand up and see the lights on the buildings and everything that makes you wonder. And you're listening to that song and that drive with the people you love most in this world. And in this moment I swear, we are infinite."

The RomComs

Is it just me or romantic comedies are better twenty years ago? Way better than all the Katherine Heigl and Jennifer Aniston movies combined. 

The Meg Ryan-Nora Ephron Trilogy 

I just noticed that the most loved and unforgettable movies written by Nora Ephron were led by Meg Ryan: When Harry Met Sally, Sleepless in Seattle and You've Got Mail. Any objections? None? Good. Coz she's perfect for all these movies. 

I love Definitely, Maybe. It's one of my go-to movie when I'm feeling low. But did you know that the inspiration of the movie is the classic When Harry Met Sally? Yes people  don't argue with me; it's a classic. If not now, eventually. It should be. Written back in the day when Friendzone is nonexistent, When Harry Met Sally is a slow-building, candid and beautiful love story between two friends. I did not find myself rushing the two of them to "just get together and kiss. Fin" because even their friendly interactions are enjoyable. It strengthened my belief that it's always friendship that build the strongest relationship. Not Facebook flirting. 

The Julia Roberts Spell 

One month ago, I had only seen two of Julia Roberts' movies: Notting Hill and Eat, Pray, Love. I was so young when I watched Notting Hill so I can't remember most of it and I did not like Eat, Pray, Love. So in short, I still had not understand why Julia Roberts became America's Sweetheart and why every woman adores her (Even Emma Watson who is the life peg of most teenagers) She's like the origin of all adoration in the late 20th century. 

Then I watched Pretty Woman. And now I get it. 

I know she's famous for her smile, but it's her eyes! It casts a spell that won't let you take your gaze off her. She conveys emotions that can't be expressed in words through her eyes... And then you'll find yourself falling in love with her whole being. Seriously, that girl's a voodoo! Haha.

I hope Hollywood stop making crappy movies just for profit and start making quality love stories. We're not always in the mood for heavy, Oscar-ish French films, or stressful Mafia action, but I think everybody can watch a good love story any time of the day. With quality script, good acting and right execution, it will never fail to lift the viewers' moods. 

Mischief Managed.

Ten years ago, I had a crush on my cute grade school classmate who reads a book every recess and lunch. I wanted to be close to him so I asked what's so good about the book he's engrossed with. So I asked my mom to buy it for me; heck she was so skeptic if I would ever read it because I have never read a single book prior to that. So was I. I wondered, how long does it take to finish a 300-page book? Isn't it boring? But I read  it right away when we went home. I remember finishing it in less than three days. And then I was a fan. 

The book? It's Harry Potter. 

I never thought I'd discover the joy of reading books -- until HP happened. Whenever there's a new installment coming up, I would patiently wait for the softbound edition and tolerate spoilers from the fans who afforded the hardbound copies. And when I finally got my copy, I would be shunned from everyone and have a world of my own in my room.. totally engrossed to the book.

"There are some things you can't share without ending up liking each other, and knocking out a twelve-foot mountain troll is one of them."

And every year, I'd always feel skeptic if the movie could live up to its book. Before the eight movie, Warner Bros gave me more disappointments than satisfactions with their HP adaptations. (Lesson: Don't judge a book by its movie.) Either there are so many cuts, or it's not executed well... or both. But expect the unexpected. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part II is as satisfying, entertaining and magical as it could ever be. I don't know about others, but I think Harry Potter got the ending that it deserved.

"Dark and difficult times lie ahead. Soon we must all face the choice between what is right and what is easy."

Hmmm.. It all ends here, right? Done and gone were all the looking-forward-days because there's nothing up next anymore for Harry Potter. Honestly, it's a bittersweet and happysad feeling. (One comforting thought: You can move on to Hunger Games and Game of Thrones, Heidy). Sigh. A big chunk of my childhood closed its chapter on me. 

“The stories we love best do live in us forever, so whether you come back by page or by the big screen, hogwarts will always be there to welcome you home" — J.K. Rowling

So long, Harry Potter. It was a magical ride. 

New Moon

I said it on my Facebook and I'll say it again: The only thing great about New Moon is Jacob Black and the soundtrack. The rest is either dull or cheesy.

For me, it's a movie that cannot stand on its own. It's a movie adapted from a novel, period. It was like they were following the book, in a non-cinematic way. The acting isn't impressive. Gah, Kirsten's sullen aura and Rob Pattinson's poor line delivery (honestly, did you understand everything that he said?) were something very consistent in the two films. From an outsider's point of view, no one would've guessed that Edward and Bella were lovers because they looked awkward with each other. I'd gladly even give the "Most Awkward Character award" to Bella.

But the werewolves and soundtrack were an offset to all these boring elements. No kidding. Aside from the wolves' very much attractive bodies (Sorry but I really don't count Sam Uley as one of the gorgeous werewolves) and beautifully tanned skins, they gave the film a deal of excitement. The score used was really fitted and complemented the scenes. Dakota Fanning did not disappoint too. Her acting was brilliant. But she should've been more exposed, if I were the director.

Overall the movie was boring and cheesy. But it's still better than Twilight. The next installment is directed by yet another man, David Slade (who has recently impressed me after I watched Hard Candy). Let's see if he'll make up to all the cheese in the two films by adding more spice.