Thursday, March 31, 2005

Sky's the Limit
Seeing double?
I know the movie was shown months ago but bear with me. I just saw the DVD yesterday... pirated, of course...

Imagine a life without limits, without boundaries, without anything that can hold you back. No money nor power can set you apart from your goal. In short, imagine a life where the sky is the limit and you're the greatest pilot whole soar the skyline. That is the life of cinema legend and aviation pioneer Howard Hughes.

The movie, The Aviator, is a biopic that features the life of Hughes (played by Leonardo DiCaprio). Directed by highly-acclaimed director Martin Scorsese, the movie harkens back to the Hollywood's Golden Era wherein the likes of Ava Gardner and Katherine Hepburn (broads of dear 'ol Hughes) walk the red carpet.

At only 25 years of age, Hughes directed the most expensive movie made up to that point, Hell's Angels, a war epic which Scorsese gleefully recreates in its full glory. Hughes also was known as a playboy, dating the likes of Gardner and Hepburn, to name a few. As an aviator, he was known to break air speed records which he, himself, piloted.

The cast was a roster of acting jewels.

DiCaprio's performance was excellent. He was a natural (or is there any way to describe the nostalgia I felt throughout the movie since evey shot of him reminds me of his older movies). His portrayal of the ambition-driven Hughes was powerful. But what was more memorable was his portrayal of the delusioned Hughes (who suffered an obsessive compulsive disorder and germphobia). He neither overacts nor underplays the side of Hughes that was rarely seen by the public.

Blanchett's performance as Katherine Hepburn was also quite notable, specially since she was able to mimic Hepburn's trademark voice. Unfortunately I had one complaint for her, she looked like one walking hanger.

Overall, the movie was inspiring. In a way, I saw myself in the persona of Howard Hughes. Though I am not a good visionary as he, we both share the willingness to drive ourselves to our limits. Hughes had dreams and he knew that for him to achieve each and everyone of them, he had to spend not only millions in dollars but also millions in effort. He didn't let anything stand in his way. In short, "ma-diskarte siya". And that's the kind of man I wish to become, a man of principle, a man of action, and a man who has a drive. And the movie succeeded in bringing that accross.

Putting the dragging scenes aside, the movie was outstanding, worthy of its Golden Globe winnings.

I give this movie (out of 5):

Friday, March 25, 2005

WANTED: Hawaiian Costume
Hello. Does anyone have/own a hawaiian costume, preferrably a female version? A male version will also do. Please reply to this message (via soul_nerd@yahoo.com) if you have one (male or female version). I really need to borrow one during the second week of april.

Thank you very much.


Do you have something like this?



Or this?

Or just the standard hawaiian polo?
If you can say yes to any of these questions please EMAIL me.. thanks!

Thursday, March 03, 2005

Jars of Clay
I'm gonna show you love..
It's been one heck of a hell week - math long test, lit class play script, filipino talumpati, and physics long test to name a few. But it's a wonder how I squeezed in a night of rocking for the Lord in the middle of all this jetsam.

Last night, me and a friend watched Jars of Clay, a Christian rock band, in concert in Araneta. It was one heck of a night I tell you. They sang all-time favorites like Five Candles, Flood, Fly, and Worlds Apart, but this is just the tip of the iceberg. They sang tracks from their new album, Who We Are Instead including the catchy single Show You Love.

Although there are vacant seats, which was kind of sad, the crowd was great. Everybody was apparently a Jars fan. The best moment of the night was when a guy proposed to his girlfriend on stage. Sounds cliche, eh? But that's life when you're someone who has never watched a payed concert before and who expects that a great concert should have a cheesy proposal moment inserted in the middle of all the rocking and the music.

With the concert over, it's time to snap back to reality and start making my talumpati, which I will deliver in four and a half hours. Cross your fingers and wish me luck!!!
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Because it's already March, it is expected that I'll revert to my old template. Unfortunately, I just don't have the luxury of time to do so. So please, bear with me. And of course, keep drinking (be it milkolate or pinkolate)!