Ratatouille (movie)

First of all, I do not like the short film before the movie. It was pointless. I cannot even remember its title.

I thought Brad Bird will never come out with another impressive movie after "Iron Giant" but I was mistaken. This movie made me cry again because it is just so sincere and appealing. It is so easy to identify with the lead characters.

While "Iron Giant" is about choosing what you want to be, "Ratatouille" is about being unique and being yourself. It painfully and realistically said that people who follow their dreams have to be alone to realize their dreams. Many people will give up on you but some will believe in you. It also tells the audience that your family will be for you, no matter what.

I know I made it sound like a lecture but the movie doesn't.

The storyboarding is excellent. I am sure this is more complicated than storyboarding "The Incredibles". The nooks and crannies, the traffic, the traffic and the feet--it was like a real-action movie when it is not.

The music is unforgettable. I am sure it would be nice to purchase the soundtrack album of this movie.

You really have to see this one.

Little Britain: 3rd Season (DVD)

Another loaded DVD set. I really like the commentary tracks but this time, I am not that excited with the deleted scenes. There were no new characters and most of them were not really funny.

It is nice to see some new characters though like Deseree and Tingtong Macadangdang. It is a coincidence that I am in Thailand. I am not sure if the family name is Thai though. It sounds more Filipino.

I have to mention Imelda Staunton as Andy's new caregiver. She is just so cruel and so funny.

Manoro (movie)

I admit that I arrived 10 minutes late. Normally, in Bangkok, if the schedule says that the movie will start at 8PM, that means they will begin the movie trailers at 8PM and show the movie half an hour later. But I did not know that they would be on time for this festival.

Manoro gives stunning views of the untamed landscapes of Pampanga. It shows rivers, streams and forests. At the same time, it also shows the beautiful and unspoiled Aetas. This movie really makes me proud that I am from a beautiful country like that.

But then the editing of this story about a young woman trying to educate her people was dragging. It showed every step of the venture, literally. We spent several minutes looking at the dusty feet of the main characters.

This is a nice movie to study but not a nice movie to watch. Zzzzzz....

Success at DJ Station

I went with a companion at this disco a few nights ago. I did not dress to impress. I just wore my ordinary and very old casual clothes. I had to wear shoes of course. I normally do not wear shoes.

I did not care about anyone. I just danced and owned a good part of the dance floor (on the second floor). I did not care if anyone smiled at me. I did not care if anyone licked their lips infront of me. I did not care if anyone hated me. I did not care if anyone liked me. I just danced for myself.

And I enjoyed it a lot.

But then one Indonesian cutie approached me and danced with me. We danced seductively and I enjoyed it. He was just a bonus. I had already enjoyed my time there.

Missing My Family

I have been away for more than a year already and it is only now that I miss my family terribly. I miss having long conversations with them about politics and gender issues. I miss gossiping with them.

I miss having my hand on my father's shoulders while we walk in the mall. I miss my mother's hand around my arms while we walk on the road. I miss laughing with my sister. Sometimes, we laugh so hard that we cry. I miss my brother as we bully each other.

I have never laughed that hard here in Bangkok but I can also remember how hard I cried back in Manila. Back there, my life and career have no direction. Indeed, you win some and you lose some.

I do not regret my decision though. I just cannot help missing my family.

What is the next step?

It has been a long time since I have written something personal here. Maybe because I am already bored of Bangkok. I still enjoy my work though.

There is just nothing substantial for me here. It is nice to date and have sex with the guys here but then it is getting old for me already. Maybe because I was doing the same thing in Manila.

Damn I need a boyfriend. LOLs! But then how can I get one when staying here for a long time is not my plan.

I still have to find where home is. If I did not have a Filipino passport, it could have been easier to find that out.

What is the next step?

Harry Potter and the Order of Phoenix (movie)

I have not seen "The Goblet of Fire" in its entirety yet so I am not sure if I can give a good jugment of the current Harry Potter movie. I have seen enough to notice that they have made a few changes like the battle scene in the end. The mind intrusion bit was not as effective as on the pages. I am sure there is a way to be able to show this more effectively.

I think the actors have improved quite a lot, especially the young supporting actors. Daniel Radcliffe's acting is still not enough. The death scene of Cedric shows Daniel crying over a dead dog. Sirius Black's death shows Daniel crying over a lover who just broke up with him.

Imelda Staunton as Dolores Umbridge is very very good though. Bright colours cannot wash over her malice. Evanna Lynch as Luna Lovegood is captivating. She is a scene-stealer.

The visual effects were good although the director stretched out the battle scene a bit longer. The use of black and white to differentiate bad guys from the good guys is effective but predictable.

I want to see more of Helena Bonham Carter (as Bellatrix Lestrange) in the next movie!

Little Britain: 2nd season (DVD)

Loaded. This DVD set is loaded. I think this set has more goodies than the first season although they are both dual discs.

It has interviews, outtakes and commentary tracks. I really like the sketch where the mother is trying to marry off her young daughter. I know it is crass but it is just so funny. I also like the part where the grandmother is having sex with the young kid (David). It is just so dirty!

The quality of the video is amazing. I have yet to buy my own home theater system but it seems everything is clear. I still like Vicky Pollard and Marjorie Dawes.

Next one is the third series.

Batman Begins (DVD)

This is the best adaptation of a comic book character ever. I have long admired Christopher Nolan's work, especially "Memento", and he still continues to impress me.

This DVD still maintains the grit and celebration of the history of Bruce Wayne and Batman. It is loaded with features a Batman fan would really appreciate. The second disc contains numerous video clips of how the filmmaker has achieved the believability of this movie which is very rare in a movie of this genre.

The sound is fantastic and so are the visuals. I hope there was something that they could do with Katie Holmes acting. I wonder if they could have rendered a CGI character rather than this cardboard actor. She is the only flaw in this movie.

Christian Bale might not be the best-looking Batman ever but he is the best Batman so far. I really hope that Christopher Nolan and the writer, David Goyer, will still work on the next installment.