Kenny (DVD)

Thank you again, Peter, for giving me this Aussie DVD. I really do not know anything about it when I popped it in my laptop.

It was just hilarious and I thought "this could not be a real documentary". It looked choreographed and of course, it was. It is a mockumentary. I was amazed because Kenny is a huge character in very hilarious situations. But then it can be real also and that is why it is appealing.

The single-disc package is loaded with deleted scenes and very interesting trailers of other DVD releases. The commentary track is funny but not as funny as the movie. They still kept the mockumentary feel of the movie on the track.

This movie is just so funny. I am going to watch it again.

Burned Good Samaritan

A couple of weeks ago while walking along Silom Road, a South Asian man stopped me and asked "Do you speak English?" I answered "yes".

"I have been looking for a job the whole day and I have not eaten anything. Can you help me out?" he asked again.

I gave him 60 Baht and said "I am sorry. I have a tight budget right now"

I felt really good after doing that because I do not want to be in a foreign country without a job. I also told my close friends about it. I was proud of what I did.

But then last night, I saw him again on the same spot. He even looked at me and maybe he did not recognize me. I did not look back but I heard him say the same lines. I am never gonna help a fellow foreigner again.

J On A Crossroad

I admire the fact that J is leaving New Zealand, that he is starting a brand new life back in Germany. I admire that he's got the guts to end the relationship that he has now.

I am sure he will be a stronger man after this. I am sure he will learn a lot from this horrible relationship.

But then I do not agree that he is thinking of ending what we have started. Immigration procedures can be a bitch especially for gay men but I hope gay men do not see this as a deterrent in forming meaningful relationships. Right now, J cannot imagine us living together in Germany. But then I never imagined that I would actually be living here in Thailand.

Life has so many surprises. The ones you do not expect are the ones that happen. You just have to follow what makes you happy. I pray that J sees that soon before he makes his decision.

Humor or Homophobia?

I found this pen holder at the reception desk of my flat. I really do not know whether to laugh or frown.

When you put a pen inside the hole, the head bobs up and down and it shouts "Oooh yeah! That feels good...aah...aah...aah" and other disgusting words too explicit to be on my blog.

So is it humor or homophobia?

Crying Ladies (DVD)

I have seen this movie several times already and it is still funny. Hilda Koronel is sometimes a scene stealer because she just looks so real. Sharon Cuneta is too made up to look like a poor person living in a shanty.

Technically, this movie and the DVD are really good. The image quality is better than many Pinoy DVDs. The sound is passable--only a stereo sound. The special effects are nice but sometimes self-indulgent.

The pacing is a huge problem in this movie. Some scenes are too long. Some scenes are too short and too contrived. And some scenes look like TV commercials.

All in all, this is a nice movie to watch when you are already bored with your weeknights.

The Brave One (movie)

It is only a coincidence that after publishing a review of Thelma & Louise, I would be publishing a review of a film with a strong female character in a very violent scenario. But then "The Brave One" is not as ground-breaking as the 90s movie.

I am not sure about the possibility of the plot line because I have never been to the US but I think it works satisfactorily well. It was unpredictable first then the middle part was predictable but the ending was unexpected. Again, is New York as vicious as this? Maybe one of you guys can answer that.

Neil Jordan is very good in showing the tension of the scenes but I do not see much of a connection between the characters of Jodie Foster and Naveen Andrews.

Ah Jodie Foster...she is powerful in this movie. She sounds very different. She sounds in pain. I have not seen many American movies this past year so I am not sure if she would be a strong contender for an acting award.

Thelma & Louise (2-disc DVD)

I should have watched this movie earlier. It was on sale several times while I was still living in the Philippines. This DVD set is also full of information about the movie and the effects it has had on Hollywood cinema. Ridley Scott gives so much information and detail on how this movie was made especially in the commentary track. It is priceless.

The characters are well-written and the technical aspects of the movie are superb. The American deserts never looked so romantic and stunning. It is a huge contrast with the outcome of the movie.

Susan Sarandon and Geena Davis are unforgettable in this movie. I am sure this would be the most memorable movie they have ever been in.

The politics of the movie is still very fresh and shocking even up to now. This is really a great movie but do not watch it when you are already depressed.

Filipino Grocery on Silom Road

It was a Thursday afternoon (September 13) and I was just roaming around Silom. I went in J-City (a mall directly connected to BTS-Sala Daeng station) and found a store named The Sari Sari Store. At first, I thought it was Indian because there is no big Filipino community in this area.

Then I went around and found that the store was packed with my favorite Filipino goodies. They even have rubbing alcohol without the green coloring! Plus they also had TV Patrol!

I spent an hour chatting with the friendly staff and owner while I munched on a huge bag of Clover Chips. Ah home...

J M

I know I live in a gay city and I can have most of the guys I want but then I am still the romantic teenager that I was. I, myself, cannot believe that this can still happen when I am already 29 years old.

I feel a strong attraction now to someone I have not met yet. Perhaps, he is going to be a good friend. Perhaps, he is going to be a lover. But I do not think he can easily be forgotten.

I just wish that he is on his way to freedom now.

More about him later.

Long live George Bush Jr.

By: Dexter Mejia

Because of your greed, some countries are in ruin. There is no infrastructure. There is no order. There is nobody to take care of the sick and the destitute. There is no hope.

Because of your doing, many children are without families. They have no comfort. They have no guidance. They have no hope.

Because of your decisions, entire families have died. Your people have raped them. Your people have killed them. Your people robbed them even the tiniest of hope.

Even with your greed, your doing and your decisions, I do not wish you illness. I wish you have a healthy life. I wish you have a sound mind. I wish you will witness what the world will become.

Even with your greed, your doing and your decisions, I will not wish you death. I wish you have a long life. I wish you live a hundred years.

I wish you a hundred years so that you witness what your country will become. I wish you see your own country sink into the deepest darkest hole. I wish you see your own people eat dirt and human waste. I wish you see your own clan raped, maimed and killed.

I wish you a hundred years and that ghosts will visit you and haunt you until your death. I wish you a hundred years and that all of us in this world will have our turn in spitting on your face on your last day. I wish you a hundred years so that even our offsprings can spit on your face.

And then I can let you die.

Thanks DJ

We have so many similarities. No wonder we like each other and explosive when we are together.

It is so nice getting to know you. It has been more than a year now. I am sure we will be friends for a very long time.

Thank you for trusting me.

Very Tough Night

I had a difficult night. I was emotional and it is because of the fact that I am very lonely here in Bangkok.

I ended up hurting a nice man with my harsh words. I wish I could undo it but the damage has been done. I felt my insides tense. I felt there was no goodness in me anymore.

Thanks a lot to Mark for spending some time with me on the phone. I know it is a lot of money to call Bangkok from Melbourne without a phone card.

Thanks also to Bob for keeping me company and for giving me some (over-the-counter) pills.

Little Fish (DVD)

This film has so many good performances. Cate Blanchett, Hugo Weaving and Noni Hazlehurst are very good and intense in their respective roles. I am sure it was a difficult emotional journey for these actors.

The director is also fantastic in putting a very realistic portrayal of drug trafficking. Technical aspects of the film are excellent. Panning and composing of images are very nice. They look like photographs even if they appear to be handheld. The editing is well-planned and intricate. The sound is also good and not overwhelming.

But the story oh the story. It could have been great but some aspects of the script are too contrived. Lionel (Hugo) is an important character and yet her relationship with Tracey's mother (Noni) is not really clear. And the transaction in the end is not really clear.

But then that can be overseen because the actors are really good and depressing. And I love depressing movies.