tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72783956831570203752023-11-16T04:17:37.415-08:00Into Do ListMiciROXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08209452903330205367noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7278395683157020375.post-42903844319556538162017-01-09T21:29:00.000-08:002017-07-10T21:31:28.586-07:00Passengers Movie Review: Jim's Heirarchy of Needs<div style="text-align: center;">
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<br />
On the get go, the film reminded me of <b>Robinson Crusoe</b>, a guy stuck on a deserted island... with the <i>slight</i>
difference of our guy being stuck on a high-tech, state-of-the-art
space ship, with all the amenities he could possibly ask for!<br />
<br />
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<br />
In a sense, <b>Jim </b>(<b>Chris Pratt</b>) didn't need to fight to survive. But if <b>Maslow's Heirarchy of Needs</b> taught us anything, once we've secured food and safety, then comes Love/Belonging... and boy was our boy just<i> </i>dying inside.<br />
<br />
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Technically though,
he wasn't alone. On board with him were 4999 others. In a state of
suspended animation, ready to be woken up once they arrived on their new
Earth-- 90 years into the future. Jim was just that unlucky one to have
erratically awoken <i>way</i> ahead of schedule.<br />
<br />
On a particularly miserable day, all by his lonesome self, Jim bumped into the pod of the beautiful sleeping <b>Aurora</b> (<b>Jennifer Lawrence</b>). <br />
<br />
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<br />
Day by day, he would learn more about Aurora from her files, and he found that he was falling more and more for her...<br />
<br />
So here comes the moral dilemma. If you were Jim, would you wake her up? Effectively also taking away her <i>very future</i> just so you won't be alone?!<br />
<br />
(Hey, not judging here. If it was the other way around, I'd wake Chris Pratt in a heartbeat!)<br />
<br />
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<br />
<b>*SPOILERS AHEAD*</b><br />
<a name='more'></a> Now
if you watched the movie (which I hope you did because this review is
spoilertastic) then you'd know they eventually fall for each
other but then have a massive break up upon Aurora finding out that Jim
had woken her up. <i>You can't blame the girl really. </i><br />
<br />
But of
course, as with any fantastical sci-fi love story, it takes a heat exploding,
gravity freezing, death defying feat by Jim for Aurora to realize that
she simply can't live without him after all... *sniffle*<br />
<br />
Save
the entire ship from exploding, get the girl back, and last but
certainly not the least, survive in the process. Esteem CHECK!<br />
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<br />
Now
I think the reason why this film got such low ratings is because it was
relatively straight forward and it ended TOO happily.<br />
<br />
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<br />
But what the heck, I'm a sucker for happy endings!<br />
<br />
What
would you have wanted, for Jim to die?! And for Aurora to write his
memoir?! Or for more people to randomly wake to contribute to the story
and then die because Jim and Aurora obviously had to end up alone
together for it to end the way it did?!<br />
<br />
Nope, nope, nope.
This was the way to go about it. With that scene in the end of all that
greenery in the ship that they alone both lovingly cultivated. <br />
<br />
And
in my head, it wouldn't be the last you'd hear of them anyway. With all
those years alone together, I'm sure they made little Jims and Auroras
along the way anyway. So their children will hop on to the island, and Aurora's
predecessor might just use that return ticket and write about the fantastical journey in her stead. <br />
<br />
Pretty neat huh?<br />
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<br />
So
I wasn't supposed to review this film, but days later I still found
myself imagining what it was like for Jim and Aurora to spend the rest
of their days on the ship while making the best of their situation.<br />
<br />
I
can literally imagine playing a 'The Sims' version of them while they are
forever beautifying their ship-home with gardening and Jim using his
engineering skills to build an amazing tree house for their sim
children.<br />
<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b> THE END </b><br />
<br /></div>
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MiciROXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08209452903330205367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7278395683157020375.post-56358991078207841492013-01-26T21:59:00.000-08:002017-07-10T22:02:30.804-07:00Hansel and Gretel Movie Review: Just Somewhat Badass<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ8_hm5MMtHw12RPNFQtwIJhGYkO8HCM5UNXXW_qorGP5m4L-OPWOd1K5HnSnBD8evG96ULuJZA0NUW-pdvCJmbC-ULDmXoQMfEjwMKvz928Gckf7OgO27pxOO2-ng9ZqqTup-1ox9Sxkz/s1600/hansel-and-gretel-witch-hunters-3d-poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ8_hm5MMtHw12RPNFQtwIJhGYkO8HCM5UNXXW_qorGP5m4L-OPWOd1K5HnSnBD8evG96ULuJZA0NUW-pdvCJmbC-ULDmXoQMfEjwMKvz928Gckf7OgO27pxOO2-ng9ZqqTup-1ox9Sxkz/s320/hansel-and-gretel-witch-hunters-3d-poster.jpg" width="227" /></a></div>
<br />
If you've ever been told fairy tails as a kid then it's likely you've already heard of Hansel and Gretel's story.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">O</span>nce upon a time they were left lost in the woods and while trying to find their way back they see a house made out of candy. They begin to happily eat but would then soon discover that it was actually owned by a cruel witch who happens to eat kids like them. The witch then fattened Hansel up with treats. But when she was about to roast him alive, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1857078152/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1857078152&linkCode=as2&tag=clionpor-20" target="_blank">Hansel and Gretel </a>worked together to push the witch into the fire, and they lived <i>happily ever after</i>.<br />
<br />
But wait, that can't be right, how could that be a happy ending? There's so many unanswered questions! Why did their father leave them in the forest? Would they ever find their way back? What would their profession be when they they grow up, I mean they had to earn a living right? So, what happens to them next?<br />
<br />
Okay, if you've read up to this point then you can tell I'm no longer talking about the original Hansel and Gretel recorded by <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/3836526727/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=3836526727&linkCode=as2&tag=clionpor-20" target="_blank">Brother's Grimm</a>, but the very latest one where Hansel and Gretel grow up to do what they do best (and are very much well known in the world of fairy tales for), kicking witch butt.<br />
<br />
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<br />
Now, I thought it was a particularly cool concept, and the poster with <b>Jeremy Renner</b> and <b>Gemma Arterton</b> holding weaponry looked downright kick-ass. Also, with the popularity of twisted fairy tales like <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/140123755X/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=140123755X&linkCode=as2&tag=clionpor-20" target="_blank">Fables</a> and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0058YPL66/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B0058YPL66&linkCode=as2&tag=clionpor-20" target="_blank">Once Upon a Time</a>, it's not odd that there would be an influx of movies with this genre. Like <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005LAIHSQ/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B005LAIHSQ&linkCode=as2&tag=clionpor-20" target="_blank">Snow white and the Huntsman</a>, Hansel and Gretel was just begging to be adapted into a live action flick. <br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<b>R-RATING</b><br />
So I was able to see the R-version-- and I understand. There was blood, gore, and about a dozen different ways to disembody someone. The witches looked horrendous, you'll get startled, and you'll find yourself maybe wanting to look away sometimes. Nothing actually out of the ordinary with this kind of flick, though maybe going in, I didn't expect to see <i>that</i> much. It's like one bloody encounter after another, and actions scenes that were nothing new, which generally makes it easily forgettable. Oh, and there's a tiny bit of nudity, which I presume would be edited out of the PG-13 version (don't worry, it doesn't have much of an effect either way, lol). <br />
<br />
<b>STORY AND CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT, OR LACK OF</b><br />
Now I thought they had a really good plot to begin with, but not much story and character development. I thought they could have expounded more on the lore involving the 12 children and the Blood Moon, or they could have made the ritual scene less pathetic. I mean, nothing happened, and they resorted with giving a good witch a gatling gun to proceed with a bloody massacre! Also, even when life-changing information was already being revealed, like about their past and parents, or the truth about good and bad witches, I didn't feel it had much of an impact on Hansel and Gretel, like as much it should have. But well, it was fun to be able to infer and put two and two together in the process, and it was nice that the story was able to come full circle in the end. No questions left unanswered. <br />
<br />
Overall, it was a so-so movie. Not a movie that you shouldn't miss or anything like that, but I wasn't bored either. Lots of action, toned down drama, and maybe a few unneeded characters. And yeah, the script was pretty weak and unmemorable, but every now and then they do get badass lines. <br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>60% - Has little impact but still pretty entertaining. Okay. Not original. Predicatable story-line.</i>MiciROXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08209452903330205367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7278395683157020375.post-26192240431888504262013-01-19T22:01:00.000-08:002017-07-10T23:26:35.460-07:00Frankenweenie Review: Creepy Cool with Heart<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
You can't possibly think how a plot so simple can be very
touching-- the unique bond between a boy and his dog. It was nice how <b>Tim Burton</b> was able to really capture how close <b>Victor</b> was to his dog, so it wasn't so hard for the viewers to understand why he would go to extreme lengths to get Sparky back. <br />
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<br />
I think the reason why Tim Burton was able to evoke that kind of emotion was because the story is loosely based with his own relationship to his dog as a kid. Then I can almost imagine a young Tim Burton
making crude stop motion with a cheap camera as a kid, just as Victor
was in the start of the movie. It's not hard to see why
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00A8KJN14/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00A8KJN14&linkCode=as2&tag=clionpor-20" target="_blank"><b>Frankenweenie</b></a> would be so close to his heart, a product from an idea almost 30 years ago. <br />
<br />
<b>FRANKENSTEIN </b><br />
Obviously, the movie is a parody of the early <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006QS07IK/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B006QS07IK&linkCode=as2&tag=clionpor-20" target="_blank">book</a>/<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0767811097/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0767811097&linkCode=as2&tag=clionpor-20" target="_blank">movie</a> called <b>Frankenstein</b>, which I thought is pretty cool in itself. But I liked how <b>Victor Frankenstein</b> here wasn't portrayed as a mad scientist or anything like that, he couldn't be more normal, a quiet loner who just happens to be really good in science. I also liked that here Victor wasn't repulsed by his 'creation', no matter what his dog has become, he will always be Sparky, Victor's best friend. Never mind that the whole town won't exactly agree with that. I thought the other references were also pretty cool, such as the hunchbacked <b>Edgar "E" Gore</b>, and <b>Elsa Van Helsing</b>. There's also Elsa's dog who looks a lot like Frankenstein's bride, puppy love if you ever saw one. <br />
<br />
<b>TIM BURTON TOWN IN BLACK AND WHITE</b><br />
Now there's a bit of subtle comedy, and everything is toned down. The setting is a typical middle town suburbia where you think nothing out of the ordinary or even interesting ever happens, a Tim Burton signature right there. Just later on will you see how <i>not normal</i> the town can actually become to how downright creepy it could be-- and I think the fact that it was black and white added to that overall effect. <br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a>I had some misgivings with the film being black and white and admittedly it was a little hard on the eyes, but I
guess it wouldn't have the same feel if it didn't. It felt like
something that came out in the 70's and it can make some feel nostalgic. Unfortunately though I think this
might be a reason why it didn't do very well in the box office. But anyways, that matters very little with how I rate the movies I watch. <br />
<span style="color: purple;"><br /></span>
<b>SCIENCE AND CLOSED MINDS</b><br />
Anyhow, I think as much as the movie is about the supernatural, it has also a lot to do with people's perception of science. <b>Mr. Rzykruski, </b>Victor's science teacher<b>, </b>called the townspeople ignorant and stupid, but I think he was spot on when he said that "they like what science gives them, but not the questions no."<br />
<br />
Though my favorite moment was when <b>Mr. Rzykruski</b> told Victor that science is not just about the
mind but also the heart, and how by not loving his experiment the second
time around, he already changed the variables. I don't know about you, but that made <i>a lot</i> of sense to me. This guy really knows what he's saying (even if he can't express it very well sometimes). <br />
<br />
<b>Mr. Rzykruski: </b>Science is not good or bad victor, but it can be used both ways. That is why you must always be careful.<br />
<br />
With all this, I think the story revolves around being scared of things because you can't understand them and being scared of things because they are just downright scary! Pets being reanimated to life in the most bizarre way: Shelly the turtle with a packet of Miracle Gro, Colossus the mummified hamster, Wild Sea Monkeys that seem to replicate, a weremouse, and a cat/bat hybrid or a c/at, or I mean a b/at, or whatever. That leaves the town running after the only "monster" that isn't the least bit scary, Sparky.<br />
<br />
But once they were able to see Sparky for the awesome best friend that he is, they find that maybe even adults can be wrong sometimes. Like the song says, you shouldn't judge a book by its cover, and just because you can't understand something, that doesn't mean that it's already a bad thing.<br />
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<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00A8KJN14/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il?ie=UTF8&tag=clionpor-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00A8KJN14" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&Format=_SL110_&ASIN=B00A8KJN14&MarketPlace=US&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&tag=clionpor-20&ServiceVersion=20070822" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=clionpor-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00A8KJN14" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />80% - I thought they could have added a bit more to the ending, and not just have it end cheesily like that. Anyways, still very entertaining from start to finish. Kids will find some scenes scary, but let's face it, Tim Burton movies are more for adults anyways. It's creepy cool and heart-warming, and might make you want to take better care of your dog afterwards.<br />
<br />
<br />
P.S. I think as a dog lover Tim Burton might not be very fond of cats. I
mean, both black and white cats are seen as bad omens and even the
finale had a c/at monster staked through the heart! MiciROXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08209452903330205367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7278395683157020375.post-41371516346119191562013-01-13T22:03:00.000-08:002017-07-10T22:04:24.253-07:00Ruby Sparks Review: The Girl of your Dreams Come True<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
Ever written something you were <i>so</i> passionate about, that you wanted <i>so</i> much, that suddenly it just came true? Yeah I think not. But wouldn't that be out of this world? <b>Calvin</b> certainly thought so. <br />
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You see, Calvin's this guy who made one best seller in high school and after 10 years he still has writer's block. Then one night he had a dream about this girl, and inspiration struck! He wrote and wrote and wrote about him and this girl, <b>Ruby Sparks</b>. Then just when he was to bring over his manuscript, there she was in his kitchen. Yep, he literally just met the girl of his dreams. <br />
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I think a lot of guys would just love this scenario. He actually made the girl of his dreams and he can <i>actually</i> make her do whatever he wants. But with great power comes a moral dilemna-- should he really? Well who's to say that's wrong? Everything Ruby is thus far have all come from his pen, or I mean magic typewriter, what's a few more finishing touches?<i> What could possibly go wrong?</i><br />
<br />
Well the thing you learn with watching too many movies is that you'll know the answer to that is <i>everything</i>, everything could go wrong. At first everything seems peach perfect, then everything would just bite you and backfire. And you just hate that as usual you're limited to simply telling the actors that that is not what you should write or do because let's face it, you're just part of the audience and can't really do anything about how the movie turns out. <br />
<br />
As how the movie turns out, I'm not sure I was entirely pleased, but it was okay. The beginning was good. They presented the guy and how he met the girl and the premise really well, it was all turning out to be really fun... but then it just got all mellow and dramatic. And I think, <i>I think</i>, the author went crazy at some point (you'll get what I mean when you actually watch it). I was like, you didn't have to make it <i>that </i>realistic.<br />
<br />
But it still had other redeeming qualities, and even if the way it ended just created more questions than answers and didn't really answer anything like why where how, I think Calvin pretty much summed it up when he said this line: <br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>I know you hoped that by writing this I’d realize that it never
happened…that I imagined her. But the thing is, I don’t need to make
sense of this. I don’t care if there’s no good explanation. I need you
to believe me anyway. Just take the leap. At least imagine how it could
be true for me.</i></blockquote>
Now I was arguing with my some people about what an author would do if this actually did happen to them. They said that if a writer's book would come true, they'd be really scared. I was saying how it would be exactly the opposite, how the author would actually want to live in that world. Imagine how everything that was just once in your head would suddenly come to life and you'd be able to interact with your characters and see things for real this time. <br />
<br />
Well one day I'd like to be able to write something like that, so lifelike and relatable that people would be telling me that <i> no way</i> that really did happen because it seemed so real in my head and it was totally awesome, or that yeah that's gonna make one <i>heck of a movie</i>. And damn it, it's <i>gonna </i>happen. MiciROXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08209452903330205367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7278395683157020375.post-25149210980597887622012-12-21T23:07:00.000-08:002017-07-10T23:07:40.423-07:00Just the Movie for the End of the World<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
In celebration of the end of the world (12/21/12), I thought it would be fitting to watch <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007L6VRBM/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B007L6VRBM&linkCode=as2&tag=clionpor-20" target="_blank">Seeking a Friend for the End of the World</a>. What better way to end it all than just kicking back with some popcorn and watching a movie?<br />
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Truth be told, I've never given much thought on what I'd do if the world did end today. Maybe I'd do all the things society wouldn't normally let me do. Go on a road trip with complete strangers, get so wasted in a party and wake up somewhere else entirely, get high until you see bright lights, have completely no inhibitions, and just end up doing whatever the heck you want-- and all those other stuff that looks like so much fun when it's done by rock stars. But yeah... I don't think I'd like to have absolutely no recollection of supposedly the last best days of my life (^_^;).<br />
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With further meditation, I think it's simple what I'd like to do on my last days. I would like to hop on the back of a truck with a bunch of kids my age to wherever the night sky takes us (and if we always went right we'll go left this time). You might think I could easily do this now, but you see, the idea is that there will be no need anymore to worry about time or being on time-- not for curfew, school, work, deadlines, or anything else. No more plans or anything to restrict you from just hopping on board without a second thought. Then we'll play Here's to the Night on the stereo...<br />
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<b>ONTO THE FILM</b><br />
So the year is 2012, and the world would end in about 21 days, what would you do? Well Dodge's wife actually needed that push to have the courage to break up years and years of marriage. Now Dodge (Steve Carell) is left with all that misery in the worst possible time-- the world was coming to an end and he had no one to spend it with! It's a good thing that chances are he isn't the only lonely person in the planet at this time-- and that was when he met Penny (Keira Knightley) crying outside his window.<br />
<br />
So they hitch a ride with a suicidal guy, was kissed by total strangers, got locked up in jail, broke into a house, talked to family, left a note, passed time at the beach, played the harmonica, and flew on a jet plane. They were seeking and seeking unknowing that they have already found themselves in each other all along, talk about cliche but hey if it works right? <br />
<br />
Anyways, don't be fooled by the trailer, this film is more drama than anything else. I guess it did fit the tone of an incoming apocalypse. Also, the film was kinda slow halfway through, but if you're able to get past that then you might just finish a pretty decent movie.<br />
<br />
Penny: I really thought we'd save each other.<br />
Dodge: <i>We did.</i><br />
<br />
<b>NOW BACK TO ME </b><br />
Funny thing is, I don't think I would have picked this film up if the
sun and planets didn't aline to be what would be the end of world.Well, I told you what I'd like my apocalypse to be like, but I think it won't be just that, and yeah, I think the
movie had a hand in inspiring this idea into my head. <br />
<br />
...So if I'd let my imagination go even further, maybe along the way I'll
meet that guy who'd make it seem like it isn't such a waste to live up
to only this point. <i>Nothing more romantic than meeting the love of your
life just before the end of the world ;) </i>MiciROXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08209452903330205367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7278395683157020375.post-64101891488288187442012-12-20T23:03:00.000-08:002017-07-10T23:04:13.070-07:00The Hobbit Review: Some Nostalgia but Nothing New<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-ewZKzY6T-oDyhXkAGwQxGwH8XbP2LnT3fnFNKMVW1BMtlH6nn-Ys6fEM0HeS5kV_Luug6k7MkM4QOcboMxZ2EGkaI5EjAV50SDnHbyIjeXI64o16G58ncqsNHkFJzq695Vr000-WGhku/s1600/The-Hobbit-Poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-ewZKzY6T-oDyhXkAGwQxGwH8XbP2LnT3fnFNKMVW1BMtlH6nn-Ys6fEM0HeS5kV_Luug6k7MkM4QOcboMxZ2EGkaI5EjAV50SDnHbyIjeXI64o16G58ncqsNHkFJzq695Vr000-WGhku/s320/The-Hobbit-Poster.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
<br />
To be honest, I wasn't too excited to see <b>The Hobbit</b>. Would there be anything new here? How can it possibly be cooler than <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000654ZK0/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B000654ZK0&linkCode=as2&tag=clionpor-20" target="_blank">The Lord of the Rings</a>? I mean, <i>The Hobbit</i>, even the title sounds weak~! And exactly what is J.R.R. Tolkien's fascination with puny leads is beyond me. Okay fine, that IS how most stories go, finding true power in unlikely places... how even a simple Hobbit could change the course of history. <br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinEUATmoYjJYOhtChQDlsgcc1Bc2Tm_2abddnu55k6UdtoKMr5G7qbOP6sBrQ2XXq27SpV7Uk36dtMbt7cjIukvrhXLHjbOakg7_LAOlRXBCn-cTpHNuHwX_r0KoFzPyRw0dXvbgx-ZJpI/s1600/The-Hobbit-An-Unexpected-Journey-Gandalfs-Discovery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinEUATmoYjJYOhtChQDlsgcc1Bc2Tm_2abddnu55k6UdtoKMr5G7qbOP6sBrQ2XXq27SpV7Uk36dtMbt7cjIukvrhXLHjbOakg7_LAOlRXBCn-cTpHNuHwX_r0KoFzPyRw0dXvbgx-ZJpI/s320/The-Hobbit-An-Unexpected-Journey-Gandalfs-Discovery.jpg" width="320" /></a><i>Saruman believes that it is only great power that can
hold evil in check. That is not what I've found. I found it is the small
things, everyday deeds of ordinary folk, that keeps the darkness at
bay. Simple acts of kindness and love. Why Bilbo Baggins? Perhaps it is
because I'm afraid, and he gives me courage.</i> (It still has its power lines I'll give you that.)</blockquote>
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There they set forth on a journey to reclaim the Dwarven Kingdom. </div>
<br />
So I went to see The Hobbit on theaters anyways, if not just to see what the hype was all about. Now with <b>Peter Jackson</b> on the helm once again, you can pretty much expect the same feel as LOTR (less other epic characters like <b>Aragorn</b> and <b>Legolas</b> that I came to love in the series).<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a>Now I wasn't blown away or anything like that, but it had its amusing moments. It had music, magic, fighting, wizards, elves, dwarves, mystical animals, legends, mountains, scenery, purpose, adventure, riddles, a ring, a humongous budget-- just how can you go wrong with that combination? Be warned though, after a while it becomes <i>really</i> predictable, and the story will go something like this: continue on their journey--> sense danger--> get in a tight pickle--> be saved by Gandalf--> continue on their journey--> sense danger--> get in a tight pickle--> be saved by Gandalf-->continue on their journey--- well you get the picture. Don't get me wrong, Gandalf was pretty cool and everything, but couldn't they have changed it a little, like maybe add Legolas into the mix? I swear, apart from Gandalf, this movie really lacked cool characters!<br />
<br />
<b>3 X 3</b><br />
Then as a lot expected, there were some moments that seemed prolonged, maybe even unneeded. The dwarves cleaning the pots and pans? It can be cute, but maybe they could have saved that for a Disney movie? I guess that's part of having all the time in the world, The Hobbit IS a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0038AYINO/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B0038AYINO&linkCode=as2&tag=clionpor-20" target="_blank">book</a> split into three parts for the movie, and here I am hoping though that there's more to that decision than just for the extra pocket money. Rather than the Hobbit, it would have been nice if they spent that amount of time for the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005OCFGTO/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B005OCFGTO&linkCode=as2&tag=clionpor-20" target="_blank">Harry Potter movies</a>, now that's a movie that needs a few more hours.<br />
<br />
If you have read this far, then you'd know I haven't read the books. It's just so long and winding that I thought I should just watch the movie to get it over with. I know for sure though that The Hobbit wouldn't be as epic and necessary, as say, the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000PMG16U/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B000PMG16U&linkCode=as2&tag=clionpor-20" target="_blank">Star Wars prequels</a>, and that it wouldn't need three whole movies to get its point across.<br />
<br />
In all, contrary to how it might have sounded in my review, it wasn't a bad movie. And although the next movies won't be that high on my must-watch list, I'd still watch it just to see how it all wraps up and connects with The Lord of the Rings. So with that, this movie gets a so-so 60%.<br />
<br />
<i>60% - Just enough to be mildly entertaining, but not so much. Okay. Not original. Predicatable story-line.</i>MiciROXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08209452903330205367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7278395683157020375.post-7129097459003801262012-12-19T23:02:00.000-08:002017-07-10T23:26:41.289-07:00To Watch is to Believe<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Movement.</span> </i>Wow.
Up and above the sleigh, in and out of pillows and windows, from
rooftop to rooftop, popping up chimneys, swooping down rabbit
holes... if they ever make a <b>Dreamworks </b>park with a Rise of the
Guardians ride, I'm down for it! Besides the top notch animation, the
visuals were a delight. I would definitely recommend watching it in <b>3D</b> or <b>IMAX</b>. I can't even imagine the effort they put into making every bit of this film come to life!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
In any case, I think I was sprinkled with some happy
snow dust since I was stupidly smiling after. Definitely a movie that
would make you wish you were a kid again. Magical, magical times... I
could almost remember waiting for Santa every Christmas eve. I never did
catch him, elusive fat fellow that he is, but there would always be
presents waiting for me when I wake up. And now I know how Santa does
it, with his big curious eyes of wonder and Yeti helpers. <br />
<br />
Jack: I always though the elves made the toys.<br />
North: We just let them believe that. (Looks to elves playing with Christmas lights) Very nice... Keep up good work! <br />
<br />
So there's<b> North</b>, the <b>Tooth Fairy</b>, the <b>Easter Bunny</b>, and <b>Sandman</b>... but who has ever heard of Jack Frost?<br />
<a name='more'></a><blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Legend has it, he’s behind that feeling you get when a cold kiss
of air nips at your nose, when a blast of cool wind transforms a window
into a drawing board, or the pure joy of when a school day becomes a
snow day.</span></i></span></blockquote>
Sure Jack's all about the
fun things during the winter weather, but is that all there is to him?
Who is he really and why must he continue to walk earth unnoticed by
people? He tells himself that he doesn't need the recognition, but deep
inside, he really does want attention, even just a little bit. <br />
<br />
Then comes <b>Pitch</b>,
the Boogeyman, who, like Jack, is also tired of being invisible... but
they actually couldn't be more different. Pitch Black doesn't just want
to be believed in, he wants to be feared. So now he is set on a
rampage, slowly turning children's dreams into nightmares they can't get
away from even when they wake up.<br />
<br />
But when there is a
force threatening the children's happiness the world over, it is up to
the Guardians to make sure they are safe.There's <b>North </b><i>aka</i>
Santa Claus, who holds a tough persona and is not just a big jolly
fellow with a fat belly. I mean, he's Russian and has Naughty/Nice <i>tattoos</i>! Next comes <b>Bunnymund </b><i>aka</i> The Easter Bunny, who is definitely not the gentle<i> </i>hopping
bunny you usually see in fairy tales. He really is a tough cookie for
someone who gives away bright colored eggs for Easter. Then comes <b>Tooth</b> <i>aka</i>
The Tooth Fairy, who is more than what meets the eye. Takes no
prisoners! And who would have thought that she not only protects teeth
but also memories? Next we have <b>Sandy</b> <i>aka</i> The Sandman, and one thing's for sure, he sure packs a punch for someone who looks so cuddly and doesn't talk very much.<br />
<br />
But
wait just a sec, why is the moon sending some weird spotlight signal on
an image of Jack Frost? That could only mean one thing... but <b>Jack Frost</b>, a Guardian? Just who in his right mi-, I mean, who is Jack exactly then and why did the man in the moon choose him?<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 14.545454025268555px;"><br /></span></i></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 14.545454025268555px;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 14.545454025268555px;">...Well, you would just have to go out and see </span></span><b>Rise of the Guardians</b> to
find out! And remember, that even if there is just one person who
believes, then their legend and what they stand for will continue to
live on. We may have forgotten how it once was, but hopefully this movie
can remind us all of that magical feeling of simply<i> believing</i>.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.blockbusterdiva.com/2012/08/movies-i-gotta-see-rise-of-guardians.html" target="_blank">I DO BELIEVE IN JACK FROST.</a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
P.S. Check out their <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/MeetTheGuardians" target="_blank">youtube channel</a>, it's highly amusing :)<br />
<br />
<i>90% - Highly entertaining with uber story-line. touching! awesome! repeatable!</i>MiciROXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08209452903330205367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7278395683157020375.post-22269820825678559272012-11-17T22:07:00.000-08:002017-07-10T22:07:35.017-07:00Breaking Dawn 2 is Kick Ass Awesome!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
<i>Man </i>can I assure you, not one Twilight fan will be disappointed. The best of the franchise by far-- unexpectedly a heart-thumping experience. And best of all, it really<i> </i>did made me feel a total sense of completion.<br />
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I've watched <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001P5HRMI/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B001P5HRMI&linkCode=as2&tag=clionpor-20" target="_blank"><b>Twilight</b> </a>since day one, and it's so great to see how much the story and action has progressed up to this point. I think a book-to-movie adaptation is a good one if it not only catches the essence of the book but also makes it a much richer experience, and maybe even add something new to it. Nothing but total respect for director <b>Bill Codon</b> and screenwriter <b>Melissa Rosenberg</b> for making<b> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002BWP49C/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B002BWP49C&linkCode=as2&tag=clionpor-20" target="_blank">Breaking Dawn</a> 2 </b>the best it could possibly be-- by making it much more exciting, but not straying too much from the original manuscript. <br />
<br />
<b>Introducing the New Vampires</b><br />
Even from the books, I felt that Breaking Dawn was a cut above the rest, mainly because you get to meet all these new vampire characters with amazing abilities. And even in the short span of time that you get to meet them, you already feel their very defined personalities, making them very lovable characters in their own right.<br />
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Now I don't know about you guys, but I particularly felt two of our newer vampires stood out as a bit more lovable then the rest. The first was of course <b>Benjamin</b>, the vampire from the Egyptian coven with the power over elements.<b> Rami Malek </b>really did a great job portraying his character as this free-spirited and righteous person. And the scenes with him handling the elements were simply magical. <br />
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<br />
Now the next vampire I liked was <b>Garrett</b>, quite the charmer and
casanova. I really liked that look in his eyes whenever he looks at Kate, they really were meant to be together. :)<span class="st"><i> "If we live through this, I'll follow you anywhere, woman."</i></span><br />
<i><span class="st"> </span></i> <br />
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<b>Renesmee</b> was also quite the joy to watch, she wasn't as annoying or as attached to Jacob as I made her out to be in the book. She was just there quietly and knowingly observing. <b>Mackenzie Foy</b> was the perfect cast for this role, I think she's a lot like Renesmee in real life and she really does look like a hybrid of Kristen and Robert, don't you think so? <br />
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<b>Story Progression </b><br />
Now critics would say that the first part of the movie comes off as a bit
slow, and I agree. That's all part of what's in the book (and you don't want to anger the fans). <i>There's Bella getting used to being a new vampire, getting Charlie to warm up to the idea, Bella getting hot and heavy with Edward, the story of the immortal children, Renesmee slowly growing up, gathering vampires from the world over</i>....that's all part of the story. And all that becomes worth it as it leads up to the grand finale in this movie. And when you finally see it, it's like wow, just wow.
I've read the books, but MAN did I not expect that.<br />
<br />
I have said this
before, but I really like the movies better than the books. I just felt
like they conveyed much more than the books even in fewer scenes and
words. I'm just glad that they didn't feel the need to get everything the way it was written in the book. You have to remember that books and movies are two different things, and you can't expect something that works in the book to translate well in a movie. <br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: purple;">*spoilers ahead*</span><br />
<span style="color: purple;"><b>THE TWIST</b></span><br />
Now that I think about it, in the book, <b>Aro</b> backed out because he saw that they were evenly matched. They weren't used to fighting with such numbers and in a way 'foresaw' that they would suffer severe casualties if the fight did happen. They just added that bit about Alice with her nifty little ability of actually letting us all see what it would be like. Man, I have to say that was ingenious. I didn't see it, but I'm glad I didn't. And it made Alice's ability to see the future all the more enthralling to Aro. <br />
It even made the part about J. Jenks make sense. I mean, we got to see what Alice saw. And from her vision, she saw that a fight will ensue and that Jacob and Renesmee had to be able to run away. Even Alice didn't know what Aro would decide after he saw the future. I have to say, they had me going there for a second. I mean *gasp* Carlisle actually dies!.....in an alternate reality XD <br />
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All in all, it was well worth the wait. The casting was perfect, the cinematography was top notch, and the fight scenes were downright kick ass. I couldn't have asked for a better execution to end the Twilight saga, so I give this flick a well deserved 90%. <br />
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<i><span style="background-color: white;">90% - Highly entertaining with uber story-line. Awesome! Repeatable!</span></i>MiciROXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08209452903330205367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7278395683157020375.post-14481716076297270902012-11-12T22:08:00.000-08:002017-07-10T22:08:38.089-07:00Looper and Loopholes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i>I think the motif is not as much about time travel as much as how circumstances can really change a person. To the point where surprisingly, the main focus would not be the sci-fi element, but more on the character and emotional development of the characters. </i><br />
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'Loopers' are basically men who are hired to point blank shoot and kill people sent back
from the future. Time travel has not yet been invented, but in the
future it would have been. It is outlawed there but still used by underground crime syndicates to eliminate people and not leave any trace of a body. For every kill, loopers are paid handsomely in silver. It's a simple lucrative job, and someone has to do it-- but there's a catch. For your last kill you are paid in gold, but the person you kill would actually be yourself, from the future. This is called 'closing the loop', where you yourself is eliminated so wouldn't be able to talk about all the dirty work you were made to do through the years. <br />
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In any case, the movie might be confusing to some, but it's actually pretty straight forward. I know we're talking of possibly billions of ongoing loops, alternate realities/ timelines, but let's just set that aside for a second here. Think of it as just two sets of time periods, either past or future, from two points of view, either Joe and old Joe.<br />
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<span style="color: blue;">FIRST REALITY/ OLD JOE: </span>You see how it pans out when the loop is actually properly closed. Everything goes on smoothly. Joe properly kills his future self, gets his gold, and is given free reign to do whatever he wanted. He had lots of cash and this thought at the back of his head that he was going to die sooner than later (in 30 years to be exact), not a particularly good combination. So he partied his ass off, then resorted to robbery when he was all out. He didn't really feel like living for anything, until he met this girl. <i>Ah, of course it's for a girl.</i><br />
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You can say he 'retired' from his bad boy days and lived a quiet life in the suburbs... but suddenly his 30 years was up. The mafia was at his house ready to 'collect' him when everything turned for the worse, his girl was killed, and he blames himself for it. So of course there's only one thing TO do-- go back to the past and make sure this bit of the future NEVER happens.<br />
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<span style="color: blue;">SECOND REALITY/ JOE:</span> So young Joe (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), our protagonist, was there in his usual killing spot when he comes face to face with his future self (Bruce Willis). A slight hesitation caused him to lose his charge, and now the both of them have to run for their lives. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/6305210411/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=6305210411&linkCode=as2&tag=clionpor-20">Sliding Doors</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=clionpor-20&l=as2&o=1&a=6305210411" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />, sequence changed, the past would never be the same again. <br />
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Now even if Joe and Old Joe should be the same person, just from different points in time, they couldn't be more different. To the point that even if Joseph did a great job in acting, I didn't think he and Bruce was very much like the same person. They were just absorbed with two totally different mindsets all throughout the movie, that it's hard to see their similarities if there was at all. <br />
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Old Joe has been pretty much hardened through time. There's nothing he hasn't seen or done before, and with that he feels so much more knowledgeable than his young self and knows what is best for both of them. Joe on the other hand was just faced with an unfortunate situation wherein his future self, who should be dead, does NOT want to die. He feels he's been robbed of his life, Old Joe got to live the life, why shouldn't he get on with it himself? <br />
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<b><span style="color: blue;">THE TWIST </span></b><br />
Now I don't know about you, but I went into the movie thinking of high speed chases through time, lots of action and really confusing (time) mind games between Joe and Old Joe. What I didn't expect was lots of emotion and slow scenes in practically in the middle of nowhere, a field. <br />
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You see, Old Joe has a simple idea of how to stop all the loops from being closed from happening, and that is to kill the <b>Rainmaker</b> before he grows big enough to really cause havoc. He's narrowed down the possibilities to three children. So Joe has this simple idea on how to kill his future self, wait around one of the kids who happens to live with his mother in a field. <br />
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I have to say I didn't expect the part of the kid and how he played such a crucial role in this film. Kudos to the young actor <b>Pierce Gagnon</b> by the way, he can be really scary if he wants to. I like characters who are a lot tougher than they appear to be. I knew they added TK there for a reason, like whoa!<br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><b>THE END </b></span><br />
So anyways, at first Joe was only looking out for himself, he wants to kill his future self so he can just get on with his life. That was before he saw, in fact in slow mo, how small actions can have huge detrimental consequences in the future. He decided to give the kid a chance, make certain that he wouldn't be the cause of having created the Rainmaker in the first place. It was kind of heavy to watch at that point. <br />
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We can actually see from here that even in his shorter experience with life, Joe was able to become more emotionally mature than Old Joe. He didn't act for a girl or for his dreams like Old Joe did, he acted selflessly with a greater purpose in mind, something bigger than himself. I guess you can say that experience doesn't necessarily mean you'll make better decisions in life.<br />
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But it's surprising how even if it did not necessarily end in a happy ending, it's actually not sad. I take comfort in the fact that Joe made his <i>own</i> choice. It's bittersweet yes, but you wouldn't have it any other way. <br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><b>STUFF TO THINK ABOUT AFTER </b></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: black;">With movies involving time travel, you can't help but have your own hypothetical questions and what ifs. I found a video of writer/ director <b>Rian Johnson</b> answering plot holes and other burning questions. He really defends his views quite well. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: black;">- <i>If old Joe comes back to kill the Rainmaker, how does the Rainmaker came to be?</i> (I mean, </span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: black;">how could there be an evil Rainmaker in the future if Old Joe hasn't come back to destroy his childhood yet?) Add a little magic logic!</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: black;">- <i>Why do Loopers have to close their own loop?</i> (Like duh, right? Switching killers would make sure you don't choke on yourself!) </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: black;">-<i> Is the Rainmaker closing loops for revenge?</i> Now Rian says this is a good question, and I even have this idea at the back of my head that the Rainmaker actually was the one who went ahead and made time travel possible, he certainly has the technical abilities for it. So here's another time travel loophole for me in a sense that Old Joe wouldn't have needed to kill the Rainmaker back in the past if the Rainmaker didn't make time travel, which made Loopers exist in the first place. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: black;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: black;">Just some fun things to ponder about. I definitely enjoyed this movie, one of the best time travel movies out there for sure. I give this one a solid 90%. BTW, it's rated R-16 where I'm from, and for good reason. Some parts are dead on brutal, it's not for little kids. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><b> </b></span>MiciROXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08209452903330205367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7278395683157020375.post-84076018043911062972012-09-30T22:09:00.000-07:002017-07-10T22:09:42.159-07:00And in this movie, I swear we are infinite.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I feel that it is rare that we get to experience a coming of age story that we can empathize with and really touch our lives in a positive way. In a lot of ways, this is not just the story of Charlie, but also you, me, and the people around us. Haven't we all, even at one point in our lives, felt like we were outcasts and just wanted to find some place that we can say we belong?<br />
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Charlie never stood out. He was just that guy who sat by himself and observes people from the outside-- but that was before he met Patrick and Sam, the two best friends anyone could ever hope for. They're a wacky and fun-loving lot, and thanks to them, Charlie in his first ever year in highschool got to a taste of what's it like to 'participate' and experience the time of his life.<br />
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<b>The Book and The Movie </b><br />
I was fortunate enough to have been able to read <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1451696191/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1451696191&linkCode=as2&tag=clionpor-20" target="_blank">the book</a> before watching the movie, but I have to say that it wouldn't have mattered very much-- it was such a good adaptation and all the key elements were seamlessly translated into the big screen.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I think it made all the difference that The Perks of Being a Wallflower author <span class="kno-fb-ctx" style="font-size: small;"><span style="left: -5px; position: relative;"><b>Stephen Chbosky </b>also wrote the screenplay and directed the movie. It is the closest way for moviegoers to experience the film as how Stephen originally pictured it in his head, and boy was he able to make the book come to life. I was able to watch an interview of Stephen where he said that this was actually his lifelong dream. I'm really glad he was able to achieve it after so many years, he seems like a genuinely good person from the way he writes and speaks. </span></span></span><br />
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<b> </b><br />
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<b>The Cast</b><br />
One of the many other reasons why this turned out to be such a good film is that casting, definitely. Logan Lerman, Emma Watson, Ezra Miller-- couldn't have asked for a better set of lead characters. It's such a thrill to see Charlie, Sam, and Patrick to come alive in the best way. You just can't help but fall in love with the characters even more<b>.</b><br />
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<b>Logan Lerman</b> really embodied Charlie as he's a lot like the character he played. He's comfortable being isolated and can be quite special like Charlie with his many talents.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Emma Watson</b> was really charming here and you could understand why Charlie would simply fall for her. I think Emma is just genuinely nice and fun-loving, so she was able to easily project this to her character as Sam. And I think it was refreshing to hear her speak without a British accent.<br />
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<b>Ezra Miller</b>, wow, where do I start with this guy? He's just so out there and unafraid of how people see him. He does things for the heck of it, for the craft, the love for what he is doing. You can tell from his interviews that there's just so many layers in him, and he doesn't try to sound sophisticated, he just does. And I just have to point out, people, that he's not gay. But on the other hand, I don't think he'd have a problem with bisexuality. I'd actually really like to be able to meet him one day, he sounds really fun to be around with. And, you know, he's pretty hot. A friend of mine who's a guy actually said that Patrick can be a guy he could actually go gay for ;)<br />
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<b>The Music</b><br />
Now, the people behind The Perks of Being a Wallflower actually painstakingly did their best (listening to music after music) to find the right song for the right moments. The movie simply won't be the same without the soundtrack. I really like the story behind the 'Tunnel Song', but I have to say my favorite song from the film is <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0092MKGQ0/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B0092MKGQ0&linkCode=as2&tag=clionpor-20" target="_blank">'It's Time' by Imagine Dragons</a>. <br />
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<br />
<b>Quotes and Lessons</b><br />
Finally, I think what set the book apart was that it had a lot of these little snippets of seemingly innocent thoughts, <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/2236198-the-perks-of-being-a-wallflower" target="_blank">little quotes</a> that hits you right there. They're relatable and well thought of, and you can actually apply it to your life right now. From the way you live, to how you interact with people in your day to day life. <br />
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It's ultimately a story that advocates love and acceptance. We are reminded that there are people who will accept us for who we are.<br />
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"I just remember walking between them and feeling for the first time that I belonged somewhere." - Charlie<i><br /></i><br />
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<br />
<b>From My Experience </b><br />
It was nice to have watched this film with my friends from highschool. Though that time seems eons ago, watching this film made me reminisce.<br />
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As I see my friends laughing with me now, I am reminded of how we've also been through a lot in highschool ourselves, and how every little thing back then seemed like the end of the world. Some have already forgotten what it's like, and think that younger people put so much importance on such trivial matters. But actually, your feelings are yours, and you shouldn't belittle them just because other people think they're a little problem.<br />
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Those seemingly insignificant details put together actually made us who we are right now. And each of us can look back and know, that each of us has a story to tell.<br />
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Love Always,</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
MiciROX</div>
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So how did you find The Perks of Being a Wallflower? Isn't it just everything you thought it would be and more?<br />
<span id="goog_1181309935"></span><span id="goog_1181309936"></span>MiciROXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08209452903330205367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7278395683157020375.post-47162615785698782752012-09-09T22:10:00.000-07:002017-07-10T23:26:51.789-07:00ParaNorman is Spooky Fun<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Nah, that's not the trailer, but the idea comes pretty close to it. Albeit less dramatic ^^</div>
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You know that one superpower you're sure you don't want to have? Yeah he has it. His name is Norman, and he can see ParaNormal stuff.<br />
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From the outset he looks just like your average boy who seems to have a fascination with the spooky-- he likes to watch scary movies and he has a huge collection of zombie related merchandise. But he likes these things not because he believes in them, it's because he's actually friends with some of them.<br />
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<i>I thought it was pretty cool how he could still talk to his grandma :)</i></div>
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His daily routine consists of saying 'hi' to ghosts on his way to school, and because of this people find him, to put it mildly-- odd. He is used to being alone and is sometimes even called a freak. But there's this one chubby kid from school who's actually pretty nice, and he doesn't just believe in him, he actually find's Norman's ability pretty cool.<br />
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<span class="bold quote_actor"><b>Neil</b>: </span><span class="line">Hey Norman, Wait Up!</span><span class="bold quote_actor"> </span><br />
<span class="bold quote_actor"><b>Norman</b>: </span><span class="line">I would like to be alone.</span><span class="bold quote_actor"> </span><br />
<span class="bold quote_actor"><b>Neil</b>: </span><span class="line">So do I. Lets do it together!</span><br />
<i>:) this makes me smile</i><br />
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But just when he finally finds a (tangible) friend to accept him, a weird uncle of his contacts him out of nowhere, telling him of a task that he must continue in his place. It turns out that he has the same ability as Norman, and that the witch's curse is true. And just who is Norman to say that all that is hogwash when he himself knows the ParaNormal does exist?<br />
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<span style="color: blue;">*SPOILER ALERT*</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;">Here starts his quest, with a band of unlikely friends, to undo the witch's curse. And along the way, people saw a glimpse of what Norman saw.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;">Finally, he had to deal with the witch that was causing all the disruption, but as it turns out, she wasn't so bad. She was just this young girl who was persecuted for having unique gifts of her own, just like Norman. Then thanks to him, she finally came to peace with what happened to her and was able to peacefully move on... </span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><i> It was too bad though, Aggie and Norman would have made a cute emo couple. <3 Don't you agree?</i></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue;">In the end, his family finally believed in him and accepted him for who he is, which makes for a happy ending for everyone. :)</span><br />
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<b>ParaNorman</b> is definitely what you call spooky fun-- it can be pretty spooky at times, but in a playful way. Well little kids might get scared, adults would just be surprised a bit and continue to enjoy the beautiful animation.You'll get a good laugh at it too. <br />
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In any case, I was actually pretty intrigued on how they were able to make <b>ParaNorman </b>come to life, and as it turns out, it's was a pretty brutal but inspiring process. Check out these behind-the-scenes to see for yourself.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/-d-XzmPNmkg" width="560"></iframe>
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These people really have a knack for creativity and detail!<br />
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Funny with Neil and the bubbles, it's just so like him!
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Amazing what these people can do with dolls, stop-motion animation is fantastic!<br />
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Well this one gets a well deserved Blockbuster Diva grade of 80%, but what about you, how did you find it?MiciROXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08209452903330205367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7278395683157020375.post-57430403963090330732012-09-08T22:11:00.000-07:002017-07-10T22:12:22.080-07:00Total Recall Review: Red Pill or Blue Pill<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I want to start out by saying that I wasn't disappointed with <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005LAII3A/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B005LAII3A&linkCode=as2&tag=clionpor-20" target="_blank">this film</a>-- as opposed to what I was expecting. What the heck is wrong with reviews nowadays?! They're just totally erratic for some reason. How can <a href="http://www.rottentjavascript:void(0);omatoes.com/m/the_bourne_legacy/" target="_blank"><b>The Bourne Legacy</b></a> fair better than this? I don't get it. I really have to see things for myself now, and in this case, I'm glad I did.<br />
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<b>1990 VS 2012 </b><br />
I have to point out though that my expectations were low going into the movie, I wasn't expecting much here, so I don't know if that became a factor as to why it turned out well for me. I also haven't seen the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00070FX5U/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00070FX5U&linkCode=as2&tag=clionpor-20" target="_blank"><b>Arnold Schwarzenegger</b> version</a>, and I actually don't really intend to. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Total_Recall_%282012_film%29" target="_blank">Total Recall (2012) </a>made great use of current technology to shoot some of the awesome futuristic scenes that I think I'd just be disappointed to see how fake everything would appear in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Total_Recall" target="_blank">Total Recall (1990)</a>.<br />
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Also, I've read the plot and it just seemed literally out of this world, they were in mars for goodness sake. I liked how Total Recall (2012) made it more realistic and down to earth (literally), where what was before 'colonized mars' was now simply the colony from the other side of the globe of the <b>United Federation of Britain</b>.<br />
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It had an interesting back story too, how habitable places are considered the world's most precious resource, and how these two extreme parts of the globe are the last remaining places people can freely breathe in. Scarcity in land has forced people to build houses where ever possible, so everywhere is cramped and severely populated. This became a reason behind justifying a war for land, but that comes later. <br />
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<b>Less Mind Games More Action</b><br />
So the story starts with a factory worker named <b>Douglas Quaid</b>, who lives with his wife Lori. Everything seems okay on the outside, but actually he feels his life has become monotonous and lacking... something. That's when he decided to try Rekall, advertised to give you memories beyond your wildest dreams.<br />
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The moment he stepped into<b> Rekall</b>, I wanted it to become sort of a crossroad. How you wouldn't be able to tell if what was happening was reality or simply how it is happening in his mind. <b>John Cho</b>, the Rekall employee, did say why not be a spy, a double agent even, and that's how it precisely panned out. It turns out he wasn't a simple factory worker, he was actually <b>Carl Hauser</b>, the best UFB agent there ever was who turned traitor and set his allegiance to the resistance. <i> </i><br />
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<i>But is it real or is it all in his head? </i><br />
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I think the writers intended this film to play more mind games but they weren't very satisfactory with this, and I think this is where all the antagonism from the critics are coming from. You just know everything was happening for real. Like the crucial part that tested him if he would shoot Jessica Biel just to prove that everything was simply implanted in his mind and he would simply wake up, but he ended up shooting his 'best friend' instead. I don't know about you but this kind of reminded me of a more subdued but memorable scene in the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000OPPBEQ/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B000OPPBEQ&linkCode=as2&tag=clionpor-20" target="_blank"><b>Matrix</b></a>. <br />
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<b><a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000401/">Morpheus</a></b>:
This is your last chance. After this, there is no turning back. You take
the blue pill - the story ends, you wake up in your bed and believe
whatever you want to believe. You take the red pill - you stay in
Wonderland and I show you how deep the rabbit-hole goes.
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And from then the chase was on, and he never looked back.<br />
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Though what lacked in mind games they made up with top notch action sequences situated in unbelievable locations such as <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3rixz_2LgH8&feature=youtu.be" target="_blank">parkour</a> over elevated houses (I forget how awesome Kate Beckinsale can be in action sequences), hover car chases in elevated streets, brutal fights in moving elevators, seeing a pattern here? And I especially liked how they set all this in a realistic picture of the future. <br />
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<b>A Few Steps Ahead of the Game</b><br />
I'm not sure if this will work for everyone, but I liked the fact that I can guess what's about to happen a few steps ahead of them based on what they just did before. It's one of those films where I feel I'm actually part of how the movie unfolded. I hope you'd see how I felt when you go see the movie for yourself. <br />
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Though I was wrong in one thing-- where part of me wished all that simply happened in his mind. I'm sure some people would think this ridiculous, but would agree that this would make the movie more memorable as a whole.<br />
<br />
<i>70% - Might just reach that 80%. Might be predictable. Still pretty watchable and something you'll talk about after.</i>MiciROXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08209452903330205367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7278395683157020375.post-75981016229647331122012-08-25T22:31:00.000-07:002017-07-10T22:32:03.914-07:00Diary of a Wimpy Kid 3 Dog Days Goes to the Dogs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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You know that feeling when you felt exactly the same going in and out of a movie? That's exactly how much impact Diary of a Wimpy Kid 3 has-- nothing. There's actually no story as a whole, it's just random scenarios strung together with no real story build up, character development, or climax. It has its fun quirky moments that can make you giggle a bit, and even those are already cliched.<br />
<br />
To be fair though, it's actually the kind of storytelling the actual book has. I mean, the book is SUPPOSED to be a diary, a collection of mundane day to day events with a dash of quirkiness in them. I guess that recipe can work on books, but not necessarily in movies.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
I think the highlight of the movie are the moving comics of the characters and scenarios they put in, mostly due to its novelty. Fans of the book will definitely find that part endearing, where they can say, "hey, that's how it's actually drawn in the book!" I actually liked the <a href="http://www.blockbusterdiva.com/2010/03/analysis-of-wimpy-kid-simpsons.html" target="_blank">first book</a> in the series, but now with Dog Days I think they're just stretching it out.<br />
<br />
Anyhow, the other redeeming factors are the actors, I can safely say they did the characters in the book justice. <b>Greg</b> as your unfortunate little mischief maker,<b> Rowley</b> as your loveable best friend,<b> Rodrick</b> as the brother you want to stangle so badly, <b>parents</b> who just wants what's best for you but can't seem to express it very well,<b> Patty</b> the girl you just love to hate,<b> Chirag</b> that peculiar little Indian boy, <b>Fragley</b> your classmate who's gross and just downright weird, and <b>Holly</b>, that perfectly cute blonde girl you just want to skip in the fields with.<br />
<br />
Unfortunately, the redeeming qualities does not overpower the downside of having a weak story-line, giving it a Blockbuster Diva grade of 50%.<br />
<br />
<i>50% - Dissappointment. Weak story-line. Little impact. Little redeeming factors.</i><br />
<br />
P.S. Though Rodrick singing 'Baby' might be worth watching, LOL<br />
<br />
Related Post: <a href="http://www.blockbusterdiva.com/2010/03/analysis-of-wimpy-kid-simpsons.html" target="_blank">Analysis of a Wimpy Kid: A Simpsons Comparison </a>MiciROXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08209452903330205367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7278395683157020375.post-70981884520214660172012-08-20T23:17:00.000-07:002017-07-10T23:17:58.310-07:00The Dark Knight Rises: An End of an Era<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Right when the movie ended, somehow I felt like it was an
end of an era. I was happy and sad at the same time. I was in awe. I was
speechless. All of those conflicting emotions… no words can aptly define… somehow it just hits you right there.</div>
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You can see that everything was ingeniously crafted, from
the storyline, the characters, the effects, the comedy, the drama, the action,
the pacing, the continuity, the foreshadowing, the list goes on. You can expect
nothing less than excruciating detail from Nolan. And he has not let me down in
the <b>Dark Knight Rises</b>. </div>
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<br />
At the beginning I was kind of surprised with the setting.
It has been exactly 8 years since Harvey Dent died, Batman being blamed for his
death, and Bruce has become an arthritic recluse in his own house. In some
sense he blamed himself for Rachel’s death, and he has a hard time getting over
that. But in spite of everything happening to Bruce on the inside, on the
outside Gotham was at peace… or so it seems. </div>
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<br />
<a name='more'></a>We are then introduced to Selena Kyle, who for some reason
was tasked to acquire Bruce’s fingerprints. She’s the catty little cat burglar,
highly manipulative and (almost always) only looks out for herself. (I have to
say, top notch performance there by Anne Hathaway. I was kind of skeptical at
first, but yeah, she was kick ass awesome! She has proved to be a great and
very flexible actress in a number of films before, but adding this movie to her
resume has just secured her Hollywood status.)</div>
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Now apart from that, deep underground there’s an insurgence
going on, and it seems to be headed by the muscular masked Bane. (I actually
can’t believe Tom Hardy was behind that mask, he’s just so flexible when it
comes to roles, and boy did he work out for this one. He seemed like a whole
different person.) Commissioner Gordon was attacked when he decided to
investigate the sewers and he knew from then they needed Batman, which he
relayed to the rookie officer John Blake. </div>
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Now Bruce has retired from being the caped crusader, but
even as he keeps repeating this to other people, deep down there was a
struggle, deep down he wanted to become Batman again. And the appearance of
Selena Kyle and Bane just became the perfect reason to put on the mask again,
much to Alfred’s dismay. On the other hand, Lucius Fox was more than happy to
once again provide state of the art vehicles and gadgetry. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Batman was on the case, but little did he know that there
was a plan to diminish his entire being. His fingerprints were used to make him
officially bankrupt, and he was forced to make the wealthy Miranda Tate as a
member of the board for Wayne enterprises to protect a device that was intended
for sustainable energy to become a nuclear fusion-powered device. He was
defeated by Bane in a brawl and Bane would exile him to a prison far and down below.
He did not kill him for this would be too kind.<br />
<br />
I have to say that it was in this third movie that Gotham
came so close losing, there was chaos and destruction everywhere! There was
even a point when I was like, how the heck can Batman resolve this?! </div>
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I haven’t really read much Batman comics so it came as a
surprise to me when Miranda Tate LITERALLY backstabbed Batman; that she was
actually the ring leader Talia, the daughter of the Batman Begins villain Ra’s
al Ghul. It’s cool how the trilogy can individually stand on its own and is
still be intertwined somehow. And the ending, how everyone thought he went
kaput? I knew Batman wouldn’t die, but still, Nolan actually got me going there for a
second.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Also, I actually didn’t realize that there was foreshadowing
going on when Batman kept telling John Blake that he needed a costume so that
he can protect those that matter to him. Looking back, yeah, it was pretty
stupid of me not to see that John Blake had to have a bigger role. Hot damn, as
cool and perfect as the trilogy was, I wouldn’t mind seeing how Nolan would
come around doing a sequel with Robin around.</div>
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I’m kinda sad how the Dark Knight Rises is not doing as well
in the cinemas as it should, what with the mass shooting and the Olympics going
on, it’s too bad really. And I don’t know why critics didn’t give this a flat
out 100%, it has set the standard of blockbuster movies to a whole new level
people! </div>
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If it's still on in your cinemas, watch it now! It has EPIC written everywhere. You won't regret it.<br />
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<i>100% - Perfect. Or Almost. Content, Originality, Style, the whole damn package! </i></div>
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MiciROXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08209452903330205367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7278395683157020375.post-21143350839062901242011-03-22T23:29:00.000-07:002018-09-20T23:30:58.379-07:00Top 10 Cinderella Theme Chick Flicks / Romantic Comedy<center>
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<br />
Every girl deserves a Cinderella happily ever after, and this goes to show that happy endings don't just happen in cartoons.<br />
<br />
Now with this list, I thought it was an opportune time to say that I’m super excited for the newest Cinderella Story: If The Shoe Fits, that is coming this 2017. Sofia Carson is playing our heroine and she looks so talented over here. It seems like she’s doing some sort of Hanna Montana mystery talented girl in disguise over here, while her prince is clueless. I can’t wait! I just love a good Cinderella story, and I have high hopes for this one. Especially since her prince is pretty cute.<br />
<br />
Well, since we have to wait like many more months until that time we can see that, I guess we have to settle for some past renditions of the age old fairy tale.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><b>10. 13 GOING ON 30</b><br />
<br />
So let's start off with this flick where an uncool 13 year old girl, after some magic dust, suddenly wakes up into the future as a fully grown 30 year old woman. She was nothing like her old self-- she is now beautiful, has a great career, has a famous boyfriend, she’s admired (or envied) by many...
She has everything she ever wanted, but is this the life she really wanted?
Sure she was voted prom queen and had the coolest friends all throughout the life she doesn't remember, but at what expense?? You know where this is getting into!<br />
<br />
Now she not only has to save her career and get back at her bitch of a "best friend" who betrayed her, but also win back the one guy who accepted her for who she was all along.
In a sense, I think this is a story about a Cinderella girl, who realized getting the cute boy and all that fancy stuff wasn’t all that it was cut out to be.<br />
<br />
13 Going on 30 Trailer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ro5kCfJM_oA<br />
<br />
<b>9. THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA </b><br />
<br />
Now our girl wants to be a reporter, but to do that she must first work for Runway, a high fashion magazine that can pretty much open all these doors for her. In the process, she transforms from this hopelessly unstylish down to earth girl into figuring out what pair of stilettos goes best with a Chanel handbag, and look positively stunning in it.
I personally think this is a more realistic take on the Cinderella transformation story. Sometimes it doesn’t happen just like that, and to achieve anything in this world, you have to work hard at it.<br />
<br />
The Devil Wears Prada Trailer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XTDSwAxlNhc<br />
<br />
<b> 8. A CINDERELLA STORY: ONCE UPON A SONG</b><br />
<br />
Here we have a classic modern rendition of a Cinderella who is forced to hide behind the shadows while someone else uses her voice. Isn’t it super hard when you see your prince just fall for the wrong girl?! I’m sure many of you might have had that same experience. Well, since this is a Cinderella story, you just know she’ll come on top of this one way or another and you’ll just have to watch how she hits the right notes on this one.<br />
<br />
<b>7. WHAT A GIRL WANTS</b><br />
<br />
Daphne never knew her dad, but her mom would always tell her all sorts of stories of how they met and what a wonderful man he is. Determined to meet the father that she has been wishing to appear in front of her every time she blows out her candles, she finally packed her bags and went on her way to London, to find out that her dad is actually Lord Henry Dashwood, a high profile politician.
You can bet this means a sweet brand new lifestyle befitting a Cinderella, with unlimited credit card access to boot!<br />
<br />
<b>6. THE PRINCE AND ME</b><br />
<br />
So you meet a guy that seems really obnoxious and misguided at first, but is actually a real sweetie inside and even knows Shakespeare. So normally you fall in love, hook up, and live happily ever after right? Well, not necessarily. Well you see, he’s also actually the Price of Denmark…
When I watched this, I thought this guy and her story was just too good to be true, but hey, that’s a Cinderella story for you.<br />
<br />
<b>5. PRETTY WOMAN
</b><br />
<br />
Quite a transformation I must say, the hooker turned socialite, not bad. This goes to show that not everyone is like how you make them out to be. Even a hooker can have class and style, given the right credit card from her billionaire boss. That’s a Cinderella turned lifestyle for you.<br />
<br />
<b> 4. ANOTHER CINDERELLA STORY</b><br />
<br />
It’s another Cinderella story with a twist! Our dashing prince is this popular dancer and singer that young Mary has been crushing on since forever! Now that he transfers to her school, it just might be the time to show him that she has some pretty nifty dance moves that he can fall for as well.
I think their picks for the main characters were fantastic and I didn’t know Selena Gomez could dance that well. Admittedly, some parts were pretty cheesy, but overall I think it hit just the right points to make anyone giddy and rooting for our heroine.<br />
<br />
<b>3. PRINCESS DIARIES </b><br />
<br />
So there is this teenage girl, worrying about bad hair, glasses, loserdom- the usual. That was when she found out that she was the only heir to the throne! Imagine the transformation that followed suit when she had to look the part. Goodbye bad hair days and loserville, hello royal treatment!
She’s definitely a modern day Cinderella, with a grandmother for a fairy god mother.<br />
<br />
<b> 2. CINDERELLA STORY </b><br />
<br />
Now here is a modern version of the classic tale, with some slight changes. It’s in a highschool setting and instead of a glass slipper, she dropped her cellphone! Now her prince set up posters all over the school just to find that enchanting mystery girl from the dance! And did I say that her prince charming here is Chad Michael Murray, yeap, my thoughts exactly!<br />
<br />
<b>1. SHE’S ALL THAT </b><br />
<br />
Now at the top spot is my favorite romantic comedy of all time (so maybe I’m biased). This was actually the one that inspired me to do this list. I love this one simply because it strayed somewhat from the original Cinderella story, but it still had Cinderella written all over it.
So there goes Laney, your usual geek with tied hair and glasses. She then became the target of a bet that entailed Zack to turn her into a prom queen; and what a transformation! She became geek to popular in like two seconds with her hair cut and her eyes lensed. A Cinderella transformation (in everyone else’s eyes at least) if you ever saw one!<br />
<br />
So yeah, that’s my Top 10 Cinderella Themed Chick Flicks / Romantic Comedy of all time. What do you think? Agree or Disagree? Do you have any other flicks that you think should have made the list? I’m sure that there are others I haven’t heard of, do enlighten me!
MiciROXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09015964626892923653noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7278395683157020375.post-75941352097677787442010-07-18T23:18:00.000-07:002017-07-10T23:18:46.099-07:00Toy Story 3 Brings Back the Kid in Me ;)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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Right
after watching the film I was like “Man am I worn out”.
lol Seriously, I was actually tired. But, it was a good kind of tired.
You know when a movie is literally one action packed adventure after
another, and you're always at the edge of your seat, and you <i>really
</i>want to know what happens next? Yeah, it was that kind. <br />
<br />
I was really looking forward to Toy Story 3, because for me it's the one that started it all, the '<b>Awesome Storyline 3D Animation Revolution</b>'. (Yeah I made that phrase up, but I'm starting a revolution myself. :) I’m a big fan of Pixar and all their
works, but after <b>How to Train your Dragon</b>, I was like, I’d like to see
Pixar beat that! Boy did they showed me.<br />
<br />
<br />
Toy Story 3 is the new Mission Impossible. ;)<br />
<a name='more'></a>I'd like to think the reason we can all relate to Toy Story is because we've all been a child once in our lives, and we've had our own share of toys growing up. In time, some would be thrown out or donated to charity, but there would always be those special toys you just couldn't let go. Mine in particular is a fat plushy Pekkle penguin from Sanrio, whom I called Pengo. <br />
<br />
Over the years my mom would tell me to throw him out. You see, he isn't the cute fluffy penguin he once was. One time he was at the wash too long making him worn out and faded, he's even had a few stitches, yeah, I've had him for a while. But after Toy Story 3, I don't think I'd ever give him away! Might even talk to him every now and again, who knows, maybe he'll talk back :)<br />
<br />
But there is another side to that argument, would you rather have your toys set aside in the attic, or would you give them to a new kid, where they can be enjoyed and loved once again?<br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000158/">Woody</a></b>:
I can't go. I can't abandon these guys. They need me to get into this
museum. Without me, they'll go back into storage. Maybe forever.
<br />
<b><a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000741/">Buzz Lightyear</a></b>:
Woody, you're not a collector's item, you're a child's plaything. You are a *toy*!
<br />
<b><a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000158/">Woody</a></b>:
For how much longer? One more rip, and Andy's done with me. And what do I do then, Buzz? Huh? You tell me.
<br />
<b><a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000741/">Buzz Lightyear</a></b>:
Somewhere in that pad of stuffing is a toy who taught me that life's
only worth living if you're being loved by a kid. And I traveled all
this way to rescue that toy because I believed him.
<br />
<br />
After watching the movie me and my brothers were saying how it was the best ending Toy Story could have. Then my little brother said, "Stupid Toys, if they actually talked to us I'd never give them away." LOL, my thoughts exactly. <br />
<br />
I have a feeling this is a movie that can make anyone nostalgic. I remember role-playing and making
swishing sounds too. It seems silly now, but back then it was a lot of
fun. I personally had a long childhood, and you know what? It's a
time I wouldn't trade for the world. <br />
<br />
I
know some of you guys might be waiting for a blow by blow account but I
really don't want to do that. This is a movie that you have to
experience for yourself, and hopefully, even if just for a day, you are
reminded that you are never too old to have fun.MiciROXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08209452903330205367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7278395683157020375.post-28128315980930451512010-03-29T23:14:00.000-07:002017-07-10T23:15:18.141-07:00When in Rome, You Fall Magically in Love, or Everyone Else Does<div style="text-align: center;">
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So this goes a bit out there, and is like nothing I expected. Love with a touch of magic. Cupid was definitely working overtime in this one.<br />
<br />
So there is this girl named Beth who is very cynical about love on account that she has failed relationships due to working too much. She says though that the moment she finds some guy that she loves more than work then that would be THE one. Sounds simple enough, but then it gets tricky.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a>On her trip to Rome for her sister's wedding, she met a great guy named Nick, but then found him kissing someone else. That's when she decided to not believe in love and get drunk on the nearby love wishing fountain. Being drunk and cynical, she started babbling to the statue about all the dumb people who threw their coins in wishing for true love that will never happen, so she decided to take them out of the fountain. What she didn't know, was that the fountain was in fact magical.<br />
<br />
Amidst all her crazy banter in the fountain, she didn't know that Nick has in fact been watching her from afar under the moonlight, and may have in fact fallen for her right there and then.<br />
<br />
In any case when she got back to New York, men of all shapes and idiosyncrasies started professing love to her. There was a painter, a model, a magician, and a sausage vendor. This had her baffled at first, but then when she talked to her sister about it, she found out that whoever takes coins from the fountain, will have the ones that threw them fall madly in love with her. And when I say mad, I mean drop dead do crazy things for her. It seems that the only way the magic can be lifted is if she throws the coins back from where she got them, but she can't just fly all the way to Rome, she has an important project as a curator.<br />
<br />
Though amidst all the guys falling for her, there seems to be one sane guy, and when Nick explained to her that the kiss was nothing but a misunderstanding, she started falling for him once again. It's a good thing Nick did not give up when he found out a lot of other guys were after her too. That was when she found out that one of the coins she took from the fountain, a poker chip, came from his poker set. She didn't want to take away his will so she broke it off leaving him confused once again.<br />
<br />
Her sister then presented her an alternative where instead of going all the way to Rome, she can just give the coins back to their respective owners, and it worked, spell broken. But there was one guy left which she dreaded to give back the coin most, though when he finally got the coin, it turns out he still loved her.<br />
<br />
So yeah, next scene is that they are getting married in Rome where they met, but then she found out that the poker chip she gave back to Nick was in fact the wrong chip. So at the moment she was to say I do, she ran off to the love wishing fountain and started being mad at the statue once again. Nick ran after her and asked why she kept giving him his chips back. That was when she realized that Nick might actually be in love with her, and not because of some magic love voodoo. When Nick threw the poker chip back in the pond to kiss her, was when they found out that it was in fact their priest that Nick played poker with who threw it to the pond.<br />
<br />
So he was naturally in love with her all along, isn't that just awesome? :)<br />
<br />
Anyways, I came to see this movie with no expectations at all, didn't see the ratings, didn't see the trailer, but I thought it was pretty cool. I thought the plot was really unique, although the execution could do some tweaking. I can say there was no dull moment, and there were some funny parts especially with the David Blane wannabe. Her suitors were actually the highlight of the movie. Kristine Bell from Veronica Mars was also not bad herself, she's pretty and lovable enough to be the lead. She fits the workaholic character that find someone more interesting than work quite well.<br />
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I don't think it deserves the super low rating. If you are into Romantic Comedy at all, go ahead and watch this flick, I am sure you will be entertained.<br />
<iframe align="left" class="pfavsupqruwqzxfxpoyu" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=clionpor-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B003B3V0N4&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe>MiciROXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08209452903330205367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7278395683157020375.post-19790061949850634542010-03-18T22:47:00.000-07:002017-07-10T22:49:08.158-07:00Analysis of a Wimpy Kid: A Simpsons Comparison<span style="font-size: large;">Ever had the time when you come across a movie/book that is so kooky that you just have to watch/read it? Well, this is one of those times. Enter the world of a Wimpy Kid named Greg and his Diary, where everything is not as it seems, as you will see the world the way it used to be— through the eyes of a middle schooler. Where bullies are ten times larger than they actually are, awkward situations are a hundred times more awkward, and touching a moldy piece of cheese is nothing short of social suicide. Doesn’t hurt that Greg’s diary has pictures in it either, god knows we need more pictures in books. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Oh, and it’s not a diary, it’s a journal. (The big difference being that 'journal' sounds less wimpy.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><iframe align="left" class="rgdbigoobjxrglvjhlfa pfavsupqruwqzxfxpoyu" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=clickonportal&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B0013GUKDC&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe>In any case, anyone who has undergone any sort of basic education would agree that middle school can be tough, especially when you don't fit in. Now here comes <b>Greg Heffley</b>, who in more ways than one is your average kid who wants to make a name for himself. And he seems to know everything there is to it to become popular, well, in theory.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">This actually reminds me of another middle schooler that we all love (to hate), I’m sure you know him as he has lived unaged through a lot of seasons— <b>Bart Simpson</b>. You might be interested to know that the name Bart actually came from the anagram ‘brat’, but that’s another story altogether. Let’s stick to how Greg and Bart could get along real well if they had to go through the ordeal of actually *gasp* studying in the same school. </span></div>
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<a name='more'></a><span style="font-size: large;"> For both of them, as if being in middle school isn’t tough enough, they have to deal with other things pulling them down the food chain. </span></div>
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<a href="http://www.reelzchannel.com/article/968/meet-the-cast-of-diary-of-a-wimpy-kid%20" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://images.google.com/url?source=imgres&ct=tbn&q=http://cache.reelzchannel.com/assets/content/article/diary-of-a-wimpy-kid-Rodrick.png&usg=AFQjCNFV5AUS2ZVMUsbnhXvfmjeGWcmwYw" height="247" width="400" /></a><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/c/c6/Nelson_Muntz.PNG/160px-Nelson_Muntz.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/c/c6/Nelson_Muntz.PNG/160px-Nelson_Muntz.PNG" height="200" width="121" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><iframe align="left" class="rgdbigoobjxrglvjhlfa pfavsupqruwqzxfxpoyu" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=clickonportal&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=8993055033&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe>Rodrick VS Nelson Muntz</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">First off there is his big brother who terrorizes him every time they come into contact; he doesn't even give any <i>sound</i> advice to his brother in need either. He appears to be an anti-social adolescent who wants nothing to do with school and just play with his band ‘Loded Diper’. He did give one observation that Greg took somewhat seriously, and this was that his best friend Rowley was uncool.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In a lot of ways, Rodrick reminds me of another famous bully I know, Nelson. His pet hate is actually Bart and would stop at nothing at making Bart’s school life a living hell. He also has the brains of a toad, just like Greg’s bully of a brother. I think they’ll get along pretty well. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_iUqxOHsnGMlFLENHBILsn85oZdQlIqAlKyZf4AyDYCQ2AYuuc4mWcIgHHJHGmr6WKIBiKIfj-10pZ5FJjjf6P9zHzpEvGo3_LgdjvYYQEOITazur-FY2sW_LJ4yVC3o6Gfn0VJ8SagM/s1600/diary+of+a+wimpy+kid+rodrick+rules.jpg&usg=AFQjCNFmpkm0nNAtSdR1_xJnhbGfjB0e0w" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_iUqxOHsnGMlFLENHBILsn85oZdQlIqAlKyZf4AyDYCQ2AYuuc4mWcIgHHJHGmr6WKIBiKIfj-10pZ5FJjjf6P9zHzpEvGo3_LgdjvYYQEOITazur-FY2sW_LJ4yVC3o6Gfn0VJ8SagM/s400/diary+of+a+wimpy+kid+rodrick+rules.jpg&usg=AFQjCNFmpkm0nNAtSdR1_xJnhbGfjB0e0w" width="273" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Rodrick-Rules-Diary-Wimpy-Book/dp/0810995522?ie=UTF8&tag=clickonportal&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank"> Diary of a Wimpy Kid 2</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=clickonportal&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0810995522" height="1" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important;" width="1" /></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.reelzchannel.com/article/968/meet-the-cast-of-diary-of-a-wimpy-kid%20" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://cache.reelzchannel.com/assets/content/article/diary-of-a-wimpy-kid-Rowley.png" height="197" width="320" /></a><a href="http://www.google.com/images?q=tbn:sLgAhmXKMIHkdM::www.lossimpsons.net/Imagenes/Personajes/milhouse.gif&t=1&h=196&w=124&usg=__1JZefbbtYLWNcSZkrqtL8-65GRA=" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.google.com/images?q=tbn:sLgAhmXKMIHkdM::www.lossimpsons.net/Imagenes/Personajes/milhouse.gif&t=1&h=196&w=124&usg=__1JZefbbtYLWNcSZkrqtL8-65GRA=" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Rowley VS Milhouse Van Houten</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">He is Greg’s best friend and boy could they be any more different. While Greg is busy trying to make himself popular, it would seem Rowley is doing the exact opposite. Well he’s not doing it on purpose, he’s just happy being himself, but Gregg couldn’t stand having a best friend so dorky that he gave Rowley a makeover. It’s a good thing he’s too nice and basically puts up with Greg’s jerkiness, well, for the most part.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Milhouse is also another dorky best friend that sort of idolizes Bart and also follows what he tells him to do, just like Rowley. He can’t be as cool as Bart even if he tried though, but still both of them are pretty much at the bottom of the food chain. Although Bart would be a little more (in)famous than Greg, they still have a lot in common of wanting to be known one way or the other. I guess the contrast here would be that Greg wants to be liked and tries to avoid trouble (but seems to stumble into it a lot), while Bart has the troublemaker reputation to uphold (thus the 'writing of things he shouldn’t do' on the board every single episode). </span></div>
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<a href="http://images.google.com/url?source=imgres&ct=tbn&q=http://theinspirationroom.com/daily/commercials/2006/3/bart-simpson-sky-one.jpg&usg=AFQjCNFoZjEAlqF9eoIX9ThFKMfaSriDWQ" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://images.google.com/url?source=imgres&ct=tbn&q=http://theinspirationroom.com/daily/commercials/2006/3/bart-simpson-sky-one.jpg&usg=AFQjCNFoZjEAlqF9eoIX9ThFKMfaSriDWQ" height="184" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="font-size: small;">(That's not Bart, I just randomly found this pic. Would be cool to have a "The Simpsons" live action, don't you think?)</span></span></div>
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<a href="http://ability-programs-challengertafe.wikispaces.com/file/view/bart-simpson-generator.gif/43597957/bart-simpson-generator.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
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<a href="http://www.reelzchannel.com/article/968/meet-the-cast-of-diary-of-a-wimpy-kid%20" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://cache.reelzchannel.com/assets/content/article/diary-of-a-wimpy-kid-Susan.png" height="198" width="320" /></a><a href="http://www.reelzchannel.com/article/968/meet-the-cast-of-diary-of-a-wimpy-kid%20" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://cache.reelzchannel.com/assets/content/article/diary-of-a-wimpy-kid-Frank.png" height="198" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Mom & Dad VS Marge & Homer</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Greg’s parents don’t understand him one bit. Sure their nice people, but his mom always seem to get him into uncool situations and his dad even gave him dumbbells for his birthday in hopes of making him live up to his potentials. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I think for the most part Marge is pretty cool, but she can be like most moms sometimes, like Greg’s mom who wants nothing but the best for her son. Of course their sons don’t necessarily see it that way. On the other hand, I don’t think Homer really cares if Bart lives up to his potential, and would just want him out of his way. Bart annoys Homer lots of times, thus all the strangling though the years. It’s a wonder Bart's still alive. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=clickonportal&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0810970686" height="1" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important;" width="1" /></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.reelzchannel.com/article/968/meet-the-cast-of-diary-of-a-wimpy-kid%20" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://cache.reelzchannel.com/assets/content/article/diary-of-a-wimpy-kid-Fregley.png" height="198" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><iframe align="left" class="rgdbigoobjxrglvjhlfa pfavsupqruwqzxfxpoyu" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=clickonportal&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=0810970686&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe>Freggley VS Ralph Wiggum</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">You couldn’t meet a weirder kid who has hair on a freckle, loves to chase you with boogers, and gets hyper with candy. You wouldn’t want to be friends with him if he was the last kid on earth, too bad Greg didn’t figure that out sooner. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Ralph undoubtedly has few screws lose; such is the case that he even has an imaginary leprechaun friend. He is as dim witted and oblivious of his social status as Freggley, but perhaps he is a little more likable as he keeps to himself (and his imaginary friends).</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.reelzchannel.com/article/968/meet-the-cast-of-diary-of-a-wimpy-kid%20" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://cache.reelzchannel.com/assets/content/article/diary-of-a-wimpy-kid-Angie.png" height="198" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Angie VS Lisa Simpson</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So this is the no nonsense girl who at first thought that Greg was pretty cool, then she found out that he was a wannabe like everyone else. So when Greg falls flat on his butt like he usually does, she’ll be the first one to point it out. It’s too bad; they could have been cute together. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I can liken Angie to Lisa Simpson, another no nonsense girl who is into writing. They are both smart and alienated by their views about society. Lisa loves his brother but there are times that he wants to strangle him for being out of line. </span></div>
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<a href="http://www.reelzchannel.com/article/968/meet-the-cast-of-diary-of-a-wimpy-kid%20" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://cache.reelzchannel.com/assets/content/article/diary-of-a-wimpy-kid-Manny2.png" height="198" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Manny VS Maggie Simpson</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So it’s not too obvious in the movie how Manny can also make life hell for Greg, but in the book he is pretty much the tattle tale. It would seem that he is very observant and would often tell on the bad things Greg has done. He is also the favourite, so Greg can’t exactly bully Manny the way Rodrick bullies him either. Manny being the favorite means Greg has to put up with him a lot. </span><span style="font-size: large;">It would seem that Manny has a strong hold in the family for a toddler so small. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">There's another toddler who also has a hand in keeping things grounded in the family. Meet Maggie Simpson, also a very observant little tyke that knows more than her family gives her credit for. Although for the most part Maggie keeps quiet about the things she knows and what she can do that can astound anyone. She is also very much well-liked by the family and can often be found in the cradling arms of Marge Simpson.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=clickonportal&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0810983915" height="1" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important;" width="1" /></span><b><span style="font-size: large;"></span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><iframe align="left" class="rgdbigoobjxrglvjhlfa pfavsupqruwqzxfxpoyu" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=clickonportal&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=0810983915&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe>Patty VS Slideshow Bob</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">There’s also Patty, the one girl you could totally learn to hate and would love to throw apples on in drama class. Ever since Greg made fun of her in preschool she seems to be pretty much onto him like all the time. In wrestling, drama class, yearbook, well you get the picture. She’s a spoiled brat with a mom as president of the PTA, so she pretty much gets her way. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Slideshow Bob can be likened to Patty as he hates Bart with a vengeance. Ever since Bart foiled his devious scheme before and was sent to prison, he has been on to him. He would want nothing more in the world than to kill Bart or make life hell for him. Both Slideshow Bob and Patty cannot forget that they were wronged and will forever try to get back. </span><br />
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<a href="http://www.iwatchstuff.com/2009/07/22/diary-of-a-wimpy-kid.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.iwatchstuff.com/2009/07/22/diary-of-a-wimpy-kid.jpg" height="214" width="320" /></a><a href="http://images.google.com/url?source=imgres&ct=img&q=http://www.comic-mint.com/media/client/bullies-with-milhouse-d1392_sml.JPG&usg=AFQjCNHJKSGDUHpQYFNA9L8ikP058Ldo_w" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://images.google.com/url?source=imgres&ct=img&q=http://www.comic-mint.com/media/client/bullies-with-milhouse-d1392_sml.JPG&usg=AFQjCNHJKSGDUHpQYFNA9L8ikP058Ldo_w" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">3 bullies VS Jimbo, Dolph and Kearney</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It was Halloween that time, Greg’s favorite day of the year, when he crossed a couple of bullies by scratching their red fender. Oh, they won’t have him and Rowley live this down, and they are on the hunt for their necks. Well, not literally. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So these three can be considered as Nelson’s underlings, that of course also make life hell for Bart. Their favourite past time is to beat Bart and Milhouse up, pretty much how the 3 bullies were after Greg and Rowley. Of course, the 3 bullies got back at Greg and Rowley much worse than simply beating them up. Are you ready to hear the horrifying thing they made them do? Alright here it is, but don’t say I didn’t warn you... they made them TOUCH CHEESE! </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Cheese Touch</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Chirag</i>, another school nobody, was nice enough to point out a very noticeable icky looking moldy piece of cheese at the outside grounds, that seemed to have sprung out of nowhere and has been rotting on the same spot for ages. Legend has it that whoever touches this would have the “Cheese Touch” and would be doomed to everyone running away from that person, unless he passes it on to someone else. Who would have thought that this moldy piece of cheese would be the one to save Greg and Rowley’s friendship? You’ll see.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So what do you think of my "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" and "The Simpsons" analogy? Agree or disagree? Go on, it's a free world. :) </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">I thought the adaptation from book to movie was pretty good. It took only the most important details, beefed up some roles (like Freggley and Chirag) and even added new ones (like Angie) just for the movie. All the characters are very likable and well cast. I particularly like how Rowley is not entirely like his dumb self in the book, but a little more lovable. Greg also plays his part quite well, from being a jerk to being downright adorable. Speaking of adorable, have you met Manny?</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">All in all I have one conclusion, Middleschool is more chaotic than I thought. </span></span></div>
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MiciROXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08209452903330205367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7278395683157020375.post-84846895915163289092010-03-07T22:33:00.000-08:002017-07-10T22:34:12.621-07:006 Things I Believed (Loved) in Alice in Wonderland<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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There are a lot of fantastic videos out there for Alice that is more visually astounding, but I think this one is pretty unique as it creates an allusion through Avril Lavigne. Weirdly enough, she doesn't seem to have accepted the Hatter's invitation and like ran away from what was meant to happen.<br />
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The Hatter part is 1:33, while the actual Alice clipshot/trailer is at 2:43, so you can skip the intros. I think the song fits the movie quite well. Although like I said, the video is in stark contrast to the actual set as it has a cheap background.<br />
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<a name='more'></a><br />
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Alice is a Wonderland of Visual Fascination!<br />
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1. <b>The Virtual Reality</b><br />
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Top notch, one of the best IMAX presentations I've seen, and I've seen a lot. Everyone and everything comes to life on screen with the best CGI quality. It's a virtual feast/treat and young and old will be delighted. It pops out wicked and will make you feel that you really are in the Wonderland, living it like Alice. Of course, seeing it in 3D/ normal cinemas would be okay, but seeing it in IMAX would be a hundred times better.<br />
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2. <b>Johnny Depp</b></div>
Yep, he was Mad as a Hatter. Depp never fails to amuse us with his quirky characters that are both familiar but unique at the same time. Familiar in that they are all unforgettable, wacky, and loony, unique as he plays different roles altogether. Of course, it was not just Depp that made this trip memorable. Anne Hathaway played a superb <b>White Queen</b>- delightful, lovable, principled, sweet, caring, and flawless in her own way. Alice looked more blooming when she was younger, now she looked a bit paler, perhaps her father's death in the beginning sucked the joy out of her. In any case, she played a wonderful Alice (pun intended)- pretty, charming, down to earth, and she channels much "muchness" (you'll see). The<b> Knave of Hearts</b> or the <b>Queen of Heart's</b> personal black knight was also endearing and wickedly devious, you'll simply love/hate his evil persona, guts, and wavering loyalty. Last but not the least is the Red Queen, who was hilarious with her bulging big head and she is a heartless lunatic you would love to hate. If you can't be loved then why not be feared? The terrific cast definitely brought the house down!<br />
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3. <b>The Creatures</b><br />
The <b>Cheshire Cat</b> was just adorable: frequently vanishing, and leaving his beautiful smiling turquoise eyes popping out into life on screen. A wickedly delightful and perceptive character that you would simply love. The <b>White Mouse</b> is very brave and doesn't trust easily, but he will be with you at the side of truth. The <b>Bloodhound</b> tells a sob tale of following the Red Queen as his wife and kids are held hostage. Of course, it is with the White Queen where his true loyalties lie. The <b>White Rabbit</b> with the waistcoat was what got Alice in this wonderful mess in the first place, and he was the one who frequently made sure that Alice was not at the right size (She was either too small, or too tall). He always carried with him a clock on a chain which ticked tocked and told Alice that she was late. <b>Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum</b> are so alike but couldn't be so different at the same time. Sure they look, talk, and act the same, but their opinions couldn't be more different. One says east, the other says west. I personally think one was smarter than the other though. And finally there is the all knowing but confusing <b>Absalom</b>, the wise blue caterpillar with the monocle who blows smoke. He has a small but substantial role in building Alice and the story.<br />
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4. <b>Tim Burton</b><br />
You just know that you cannot fail with a Tim Burton-Johnny Depp tandem. Add Helena Bonham Carter into the mix and you got yourself a masterpiece. Their works together never fail to amaze, and it is always filled with fascination only a Burton mind can come up with, and of course what comes out is an out of this world journey and a quirky Depp. You must know them from famous films such as Edward Scissorhands, Ed Wood, Sleepy Hollow, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Corpse Bride, and Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, and expect more tandems in the future. Burton seems to be extremely picky when it comes to people he works with and likes to work repeatedly with a select few that he doesn't disagree with. He has a vision for perfection. The right cast definitely aggravates him less and makes his directing/producing job a whole lot easier.<br />
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5. <b>The Wonderland </b>(This really is the fifth thing Alice believed in. =)<br />
You will be in awe with the place and fall right in love the moment Alice enters the mini door to this bright magical land where creatures spoke and plants bloomed colorful and humongous. It is no wonder Alice thought everything she saw was a dream, there was no way this could be real. The amount of imagination put into this was just out of this world. The art direction was truly professionally executed with enough brilliance to last a lifetime. Truly awe-inspiring!<br />
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6. <b>The Seamless Adaptation</b><br />
This definitely beats the Disney version hands down. It had more story and life put into it, not to mention colors, that made the dream come into reality. It is a dream where you would want to be in forever, which is why it's a wonder Alice wanted to wake up. (Well of course bad guys were after her, but you get the picture.) The storyline was well crafted as the script and characters were beautifully engineered into this cinematic masterpiece, and it would be a crime if it does not win an award. It had just the right amount of renditions to make the story come more to life and be more engaging. Tim Burton made the characters more lovable and ruthless, which gave way to fantastic character development and contrast.<br />
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Wow, just wow. You just have to know that I loved this flick. It had everything to bring back that kid in you, and remind us of how we once thought that the world was fascinating, and how with enough imagination, it still is. <br />
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<i>"The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore all progress depends on the unreasonable man."- George Bernard Shaw</i><br />
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In this case, it was the unreasonable woman. Everyone tried their best to adapt in the cruel world they lived in, but Alice gave them hope and made them realize that they can do something to create a better Wonderland for everyone.<br />
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FAVE QUOTE:<br />
Alice: This is Impossible.<br />
Mad Hatter: Only if you believe it is. ;)MiciROXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08209452903330205367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7278395683157020375.post-70822277289355890712010-02-15T22:43:00.000-08:002017-07-10T22:43:43.966-07:00Valentine's Day Movie Makes Heartbreak Special<span style="font-size: small;">First off, I don't know why this was panned by critics. It was the
perfect Valentine's film and it will leave couples with a smile on their
face and warmth in their hearts.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">I have to say that I
was really excited about the film when I saw the trailer, but when I
heard that it was panned by critics I didn't want to watch it anymore,
good thing I still did! Maybe hearing it was terrible made it an even
better experience for me. I laughed, I clapped, and I was touched.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">Maybe
the scenarios weren't too original, but they are cliches for a reason,
people fall in love with them every time. You'd hardly hear of an
original romance film anyways unless it's super boring which then makes
it Oscar worthy. That's why the MTV movie awards is for me.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">Basically
the story is about couples who fall out and in of love (yes, in that
order) in Los Angeles, and how they are intertwined with one another.
Kind of reminds you of Love Actually, actually, but that has a different
feel, maybe it's the British thing.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">The stellar cast is fantastically knitted together in this awesome date movie. Each one had a perfect cliched role to play: </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Jessica Alba ... Morley Clarkson</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">She's the girl that's too good to be true. She's sexy, beautiful, and puts her career before love.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Jessica Biel ... Kara Monahan</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Why
she's alone on Valentine's Day is anyone's guess, but she plays the
role of the Valentine hater (but falls in love anyways) just perfectly.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Bradley Cooper ... Holden</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">After
"He's Just Not That into You", a movie like this just wouldn't be the
same without this guy; I'm surprised Ben Affleck wasn't in this movie.
And is it just me or does him playing a super short gay role here made
him even hotter? </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Eric Dane ... Sean Jackson</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Ah,
the sexy misunderstood football star, wouldn't be the same without it.
Funny how in a lot of cases, those that are hot but have been single for
so long turn out gay. I wanted to slap myself for not detecting it.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Patrick Dempsey ... Dr. Harrison Copeland</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Here
he is not a brain surgeon, but a heart surgeon, typical of the crew to
give him that role. He became famous as a doctor in "Grey's Anatomy", so
this role is perfect for him. There is also a similarity in his love
life here and there, he has an affair in both.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Hector Elizondo ... Edgar</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">That good old guy that has stayed loyal to his wife for over 50 years, but did not know she had an affair.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Jamie Foxx ... Kelvin Moore</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">The guy who is sick of Valentine's Day replacing his job but falls in love anyway.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Jennifer Garner ... Julia Fitzpatrick</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">The
girl that falls for a married guy, when her true love was just right
beside her as her all along. And did you see how she swang that bat
around when she hit the heart pinata? Alias is back people!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Topher Grace ... Jason</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">The
not so confident guy that fell for the perfect woman but can't accept
her at first when he found out about her flaws. (You might remember this
guy from "That 70's Show" as Eric Foreman, or "Spider-Man 3" as Venom).
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Anne Hathaway ... Liz</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">The broke girl
that hid from his boyfriend that she moonlights as a phone sex agent. I
have to admit, this is quite new and hilarious at the same time. XD</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Carter Jenkins ... Alex</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">I
am sure that I have seen this guy somewhere before. He is just too cute
wearing his guitar (and only his guitar) such a romantic and
understanding guy. XD</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Ashton Kutcher ... Reed Bennett</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">The
guy who proposes to the perfect girl but dumps him afterward, which was
when he found out he loved his best friend that had always been there
for him.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Taylor Lautner ... Willy</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">The
Athlete. (Man can he flip!) He has the perfect high school sweetheart in
Taylor Swift. Funny how he said he can't just take off his shirt in
public, when he had it off most of the time in New Moon.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>George Lopez ... Alphonso</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">The guy with the perfect family, complete with loving wife and young kids.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Shirley MacLaine ... Estelle</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">The old woman in a perfect relationship who was not so loyal after all, but still loves her husband very much.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Emma Roberts ... Grace</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">The serious teenage girl deliberating her first time with her boyfriend to make that connection before they move apart.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Julia Roberts ... Captain Kate Hazeltine</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">The army mother who comes back Valentine's after a 14 hour flight just to visit her son.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Bryce Robinson ... Edison</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">The kid in love that just can't help being so cute and romantic.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Taylor Swift ... Felicia</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">The
ditsy high school princess who feels she is totally in love. Like,
totally, you know? I know a lot didn't like her acting, but she's just
so adorable how could you resist her? I can't think of anyone else more
perfect for the role. Funny how like in her song and here, she is <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VuNIsY6JdUw&ob=av2e">not the head cheerleader</a>. She can't dance but still look hot doing so.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
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<span class="fullpost" style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">*spoiler alert* </span></span><br />
<span class="fullpost" style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Now that we have the introductions out of the way, let us proceed to the pairings!</span></span><span class="fullpost" style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<a name='more'></a><span class="fullpost" style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: small;"><b>Jessica Alba X Ashton Kutcher</b></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span class="fullpost" style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: small;">So
it starts of as the perfect proposal, which went something like "All
the advice my dad ever gave me was crap, but he did say one good advice,
if you are ever with a girl that's too good for you, marry her." Sage
advice I'd say. No one expected her to say yes, for good reasons, she
backed out and broke up with him the very same day. To be on the top of
the world and bottom of the ocean all at the same day. Poor Ashton.<br />
<br />
<b>Jessica Biel X Eric Dane</b><br />
Just for a second you'd want to think there might be a possibility that
these two may end up together. They're both single and she works for
him, so what seems to be the problem? Um, the fact that he's gay?</span><span class="fullpost" style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: small;"><br />
<br />
<b>Bradley Cooper X Julia Roberts</b><br />
Ok, don't deny it, everyone thought they'd end up together, but let's
get to that later. They would have been a cool couple, they get along
fine and seem to have that instant connection that allowed them to read
each other better than most people that have met for the first time. At
first I'd swear he was flirting, but this was totally not the case which
I will tackle on later.<br />
<br />
<b>Patrick Dempsey X Jennifer Garner</b><br />
He plays the role of the seemingly perfect guy. He's charming and a
heart surgeon, what could be better combination than that? He just
might </span><span class="fullpost" style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: small;">be
the one, the suck part is that he is married, and Jennifer did not know
about this. He continues to juggle time with his wife and his
girlfriend perfectly until he made one wrong move of telling the florist
that he has two girls. Any other florist wouldn't have mattered, but it
just so happens that the florist was Jennifer's best friend, Ashton.
She didn't believe him when he told her because she wanted it to be a
lie, and thought Ashton just didn't want to let go, so she learned the
hard way and paid back the amusing way. XD</span><span class="fullpost" style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: small;"><br />
</span><span class="fullpost" style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: small;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: small;"><b>Hector Elizondo X Shirley MacLaine</b></span><br />
<span class="fullpost" style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: small;">
Their looks to each other are so sweet, bees are hovering nearby. You'd
think they were in the perfect relationship, that never in their lives
did they ever become unloyal to each other, but the facade is not always
what it seems. Truth of the matter is, you can not love someone but
still have sex with him. It's too bad he had to find out many years
later just before their wedding vows. But if you love each other as much
as these too, a little tiff like that won't hurt, they are under a rock
solid foundation.</span><span class="fullpost" style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: small;"><br />
<br />
<b>Topher Grace X Anne Hathaway</b></span><span class="fullpost" style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<span class="fullpost" style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: small;">So
she seems so into you and is really nice, so why does she bail out
every so often just like that? Normally you'd think she's having an
affair, what you didn't put into consideration is that she might be
moonlighting as a Phone Sex Agent. So will he leave her or be man enough
to face her flaws? Can I be any more rhetorical? :P</span><br />
<br />
<span class="fullpost" style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: small;"><span class="fullpost" style="font-family: "georgia";"><span style="font-family: "georgia";"><b>Jessica Biel X Jamie Foxx</b><br />
Now here is an unlikely couple, but not so unlikely if you take a closer
look. They are both single and they both hate Valentine's Day, and they
fall for each other, don't you just love irony?</span></span></span><br />
<span class="fullpost" style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: small;"><span class="fullpost" style="font-family: "georgia";"><span style="font-family: "georgia";"> </span></span> </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span class="fullpost" style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: small;"><a href="http://content9.flixster.com/photo/12/82/26/12822695_gal.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://content9.flixster.com/photo/12/82/26/12822695_gal.jpg" height="640" style="cursor: move; float: left; height: 350px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 265px;" width="484" /></a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /><span class="fullpost" style="font-family: "georgia";"><b> </b></span></span><br />
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<span class="fullpost" style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: small;"><b>Taylor Lautner X Taylor Swift</b><br />
Taylor squared acts as the typical prom king and queen that are happily
and blindly in love, until the very end of the flick. No qualms here,
they are perfect for each other, and can they be any hotter together?
The elevator scene, EPIC.</span><span class="fullpost" style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: small;"><br />
<br />
</span><span class="fullpost" style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: small;"><a href="http://content9.flixster.com/photo/12/64/13/12641343_gal.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://content9.flixster.com/photo/12/64/13/12641343_gal.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 148px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 265px;" /></a></span><span class="fullpost" style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: small;"><a href="http://content6.flixster.com/photo/12/80/88/12808872_gal.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://content6.flixster.com/photo/12/80/88/12808872_gal.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 265px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 265px;" /></a></span><span class="fullpost" style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: small;"><br />
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<span class="fullpost" style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: small;"><b> Carter Jenkins X Emma Roberts</b><br />
The first time has to be special and spontaneous, not planned. You can't
just have sex to make a connection, there has to be that connection
beforehand, you have to be <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6Dg1Ymji-Q"><i>truly madly deeply</i></a> in
love with each other. They have been together for a while and now that
they are 18, they want to make Valentine's special by having sex. She
thinks that this can be the perfect connection before parting ways for
college, but then thinks otherwise, which he understands. Isn't he just
the sweetest?<br />
<br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span class="fullpost" style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: small;"><b>J</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: small;"><b>ennifer Garner X Bryce Robinson</b></span><br />
<span class="fullpost" style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: small;">
Just who would have thought this little dude had it bad for his
teacher? Enough to be all sappy and romantic at such a young age.
Everyone thought it was the Indian girl, but no, it had to be someone
older. It was really coincidental and cool how the flower box that was
supposed to go to Jessica Alba found their way to Jennifer Garner
through this boy. :)<br />
<br />
<b>Bradley Cooper X Eric Dane</b><br />
I bet every girl and the theater screamed at their little gay
performance. Talk about hot! The highly unlikely and controversial
couple somehow found their way into each others arms. The romantic in me
likes to think he made that "I'm gay" announcement just so they can be
together. Maybe Bradley didn't like heart shaped candies, but he sure
had a thing for the lone flower he gave Eric.<br />
<br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span class="fullpost" style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: small;"><b>Julia Roberts X Bryce Robinson</b><br />
You'd think Julia would have some special guy she would come back home at Valentin</span><span class="fullpost" style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: small;">e's
for, turns out she did, just not who we would have expected. When they
hugged, it had to be one of the single most touching part in the story.</span><br />
<span class="fullpost" style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: small;"><br />
</span><span class="fullpost" style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: small;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span class="fullpost" style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: small;"><b>Ashton Kutcher X Jennifer Garner</b></span><br />
<span class="fullpost" style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: small;">
Admit it, you knew this was coming. Best friends forever, have been
there for each other, and have watched each others back for as long as
they could remember. Just how could they not end up together? They've
just both turned single and it's Valentine's Day for crying out loud!
They just need a little more practice, they'll get there.<br />
<br />
So what's the verdict? You'll completely absolutely positively fall head
over heels in love with this movie, if you didn't maybe you just got
your heart broken? Watch it again when you're all better.<br />
<br />
Don't listen to what the critics are saying, this is a date movie you just got to see.<br />
<br />
<i>Rating: 80% - Can be not so original but still be really entertaining.
Lacks something but can't put my finger on it. cool! heart-warming!
great!</i></span></div>
MiciROXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08209452903330205367noreply@blogger.com0