the perks of watching "perks"

I REALLY THINK there are books that are not supposed to be adapted into films, that there are stories that speak most loudly within the silent confines of the written word, and I thought "The Perks of Being a Wallflower" by Stephen Chbosky was one of them,

...that is until I watched it and walked away from the theater with a stupid grin.

'Perks,' the book, is a very simple read written in a minimalist style. You can read it in one sitting. The story is simple - a coming-of-age story where the protagonist, Charlie, a very shy 15-year-old, tries to find himself in the hostile social climate of his first year in high school...and then he met friends who let him in (Surprise! Surprise!) The concept is not that original. We have read about it, watched about it (like a lot), but what makes this particular story really special?

This book's strength lies in sentimentality. It is a very intimate and personal read, and if you're a shy and socially awkward guy or girl, you could easily identify with Charlie's character from the very first lines alone. I know I did. There are these big ideas, crucial even, that are delivered in a simple, straight-forward way, and how a confused teenager would muse them. It somehow reminds me of the things I used to muse about when I was growing up; back to the time before the advent of the internet, to the world of mix tapes, handwritten letters, and 90's love songs. I made a list of the books Charlie was reading and currently building up a Charlie playlist (Asleep by the Smiths and Landslide by Fleetwood Mac are my favorites).  Funny, sometimes dark, and full of heart, 'Perks' is one of those books you wish you have read back in the times of your youth.

Now that it is now translated into a film, it's impossible not to compare the two media. Fortunately, I am done with my "book purist" phase, so the risk of being disappointed has gone down.

One thing that worked for this film was the screenplay, and there was no better person to write it for the big screen than the author itself, Stephen. Being a movie buff, I do think the greatest movies are the ones that were directed and written by the same person, Dancer in the Dark (2000) by Lars von Trier and Memento (2000) by Christopher Nolan to name a few. I think the novel being an epistolary and its simplistic style gave Stephen a breathing space to work with, like the story now could breathe in film - the pieces left to the imagination are projected before your eyes.

Chbosky's characters are so colorful, and full of personality. The main cast really did a great job. But one of them really stood out - Patrick (Ezra Miller). He is simply epic! Who would've thought he was the same psycho kid from Let's Talk About Kevin (2011) and made Tilda Swinton's life a living hell? In the book, he was very subtle as a gay character, but in this movie, he was gayest as can be! He's a very versatile actor. Let's now talk about her sister. I WANT TO talk about Sam, played by Emma Watson. :) I am very thankful that she played the role; otherwise, I would've just resorted to waiting for a decent download. The first time she appeared on the screen, I swear I was grinning from ear-to-ear, teeth reflecting light from the screen. Anyway, watching her movies as the witty, beautiful witch Hermione in the Harry Potter films, and seeing her now taking on a different role (without an English accent!), I think she has really matured in her craft. Logan Lerman (Charlie), at the other end, really redeemed himself with this one after that 'Lightning Thief' stint. I have read from somewhere that he actually locked himself in his room for weeks to get an idea of what's it like being 'alone.' And it was worth it. He gave a brilliant performance. The "snow angel" scene was powerful. It takes only a few frames, but the way he spread his arms and how pain was etched on his face...I really felt like he wanted to escape, to disappear.

I am very particular with music, especially with films. Music is a form of art more potent when set along brilliant photography. The tunnel scene was beautifully shot. But there is one scene, at the party when he was hallucinating (?), when everything appeared psychedelic. I like how the music and the pace of the images lengthened and stretched the moment. I somehow doubt that that is how it feels like or looks like, being drugged. Michael Brook's score is post-rocky. Post-rock is a beautiful genre of music. Here is the track list for the OST. Will someone leak this already!? This soundtrack makes you really nostalgic.  

1. The Samples - Could It Be Another Change

2. Dexys Midnight Runners - Come On Eileen

3. Galaxie 500 - Tugboat

4. New Order - Temptation

5. The Innocence Mission - Evensong

6. The Smiths - Asleep

7. Cracker - Low

8. Sonic Youth - Teenage Riot

9. XTC - Dear God

10. Cocteau Twins - Pearly-Dewdrops' Drops

11. Michael Brook - Charlie's Last Letter

12. David Bowie – Heroes.

Anyway, this film is feel-good and awesome and all, but if I were the director I would've made a few changes: (1) I would've cut the last few frames and let it all end with Charlie, arms outstretched at the tunnel at the crescendo of Michael Brook's last score. It would've been much better if the screen went dark and your lungs are filled with air...and then you exhale. (2) Too many kisses, especially between Sam and Charlie. It somehow diminishes the significance of their first kiss.

I think that's all about it  Whew. It feels good to let it all out of my system. 'Perks' garnered an 80% Certified Fresh rating in Rotten Tomatoes :) I really don't recommend this. Haha.

this is it. are you ready?

I am expecting a finale that will rival Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King. Am I expecting too much? :P

Nonetheless, Harry Potter will go down in my book as one of the best series translated on the big screen. It would be really bittersweet to walk out of the cinema after watching this. But I guess, there is still the Wizarding World in Universal Studios-Orlando to cheer me up--my very last Potter frontier.

i open at the close

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 1 - Bloody brilliant, isn’t it? Or not? :P Well, personally, I like this movie adaptation. I am really glad that it remained true to the book, which was the way it’s supposed to be, so good call Warner Bros. for splitting the final instalment into two parts. The sequencing moved with the events in the book. Now that I think about it, the events were almost exactly how I pictured them in my head. Hence, I can’t really say anything negative about this movie (Geez. I am that biased!) Even the boring scenes in the book are still boring in the movie!


Okay. Positive points (since there are no negatives to be said). I really like how they managed to squeeze some element of surprise. That’s a hard feat especially to those who’ve read the book. I particularly liked the animation for the Tale of the Three Brothers. That was ingenious! I think the inspiration derived from Thai shadow-play puppetry and watercolour art. I wish I could learn how to do that kind of animation.

I am pretty impressed of how they managed to blend in comedy into dark plot of the film. Misplaced maybe but really effective. Let’s thank Ron Weasley’s comedic muscles in action for that. That recovery mission into the Ministry of Magic was really amusing!

The creepy and disturbing parts are commendable; the woman, with her body bent while hovering over the table and Nagini posing as Bathilda Bagshot were really disturbing. They made me cringe in my seat. I also liked how they translated the destruction of the locket—visually stunning. I wonder if Daniel and Emma really kissed, or was it just CG? Hmm…

The trio are really maturing in their craft, aren’t they? I felt most moved by the tent scene where Harry tried to cheer Hermione up through dancing, though at first, I thought Harry was trying to take advantage of Hermione’s vulnerability (Haha! Dirty mind talking!). Bellatrix Lestrange is just perfection. I can’t imagine anyone playing that role besides Helena Bonham-Carter.

The ending was magnificent. It maybe a little frustrating, but in way, it provokes the audience to feel that ominous events are coming. Harry has no decent wand while Voldemort wields the most powerful of all. Obvious mismatch.

Overall, I think the Deathly Hallows, Part 1 is emotionally satisfying. It’s a great way to start the end of the series I’ve loved for a decade.

undesirable no. 1

yep. another potter trailer

I have a really good feeling about this movie. I wonder why. Haha! I'm gonna shut up now. :)

full official trailer of harry potter and the deathly hallows [HD]

praise for the 'prince'

I SHOULD'VE WRITTEN THIS POST AGES AGO, but given the crisis (I’ll probably talk about this one on my next post which will be posted only God knows when) my family and I are going through, I wasn’t able to do so. This blog is very lucky to be alive. If it weren’t for my drafts saved on my hard drive, which once included the last three entries you see here, this blog would’ve been rotting at this very moment—dead without any guarantee of immediate resuscitation.

If you’re a Harry Potter fan or just simply a curious fellow updated with the most recent flicks and blockbusters, you probably have already seen the Half-Blood Prince. You may have already written your own review of the movie but thought writing one would only be a waste of time because you found it ‘depressing’ and ‘sleep-inducer’. Well here is mine. I just can’t watch it and set my opinions aside. But I have to warn you that this post maybe a little biased, and way different from most movie reviews floating around. I’m a fan of the books (no longer a purist! Hurray!) and the movies, and thus, I just couldn’t get myself to hate this one. Or perhaps the long waiting and fanaticism for the ‘Prince’ somehow clouded my objective sense. But whatever! I like the Half-Blood Prince. Watched it twice in Promenade Greenhills and once in IMAX-SM North Edsa.

Here’s some ideas which I think would’ve made the movie better:

• They should’ve made the ending a little less ‘hanging’. It’s just a little disappointing to not see the wizard fight between the death eaters and Dumbledore’s Army.

• They should’ve explained why Snape became the Half-Blood Prince; I will not be surprised if non-readers would think of Snape as some sort of a wizarding royalty. Producers probably wanted them to think that Snape just took the title for personal use.

• They should’ve extended the cave scene, where Dumbledore conjures a firestorm to fight off the Inferis. I was just about to open my mouth to say “WOW” when the scene suddenly ended.

• They deleted the other Horcrux memories (i.e. the one concerning Ravenclaw’s cup.) I just wish they’d have a clever way to insert the missing pieces in the last two movies.

• They should've distributed the 30-minute (or less) 3D scenes all through the movie. I would've liked to see the Quidditch match and the "Firestorm" in 3D.
  

Here are the positive points of the movie:

• The dark tone of the movie reflected the ominous plot. The tone is somewhat reminiscent of Azkaban. I think it’s very artistic and dynamic. Harry Potter is no longer a kiddie movie.

• The visual effects were brilliant! The cave and Quidditch scenes were stunning especially the opening were where death eaters flew over the London streets and Apparated in Diagon Alley. I felt a little queasy watching this on IMAX which is probably the point. Bloody cool!

• The movie is teeming with hilarious romantic and comical sub-plots. I love the Luna-Lavender tandem. They somehow made the movie multi-layered. The train scene with Lavender was my favorite. Won-Won! :P

• Nicholas Hooper did a fantastic job with the musical score. Select tracks were very dark, but less dark than the Lord of the Rings’. But I somehow miss John Williams’ style.

• I applaud Helen Carter’s (Bella) nasty hag performance and Alan Rickman’s (Snape) ‘snake-acting’. Maggie Smith (McGonagall) and Michael Gambon (Dumbledore) were just stellar with their craft. The young Tom Riddle was really creepy. And how fitting that the child actor was Ralph Fiennes’ (Voldemort) nephew.

The Half-Blood Prince, I think, is the best Harry Potter movie yet, just next to the Prisoner of Azkaban. My brother and I share the same sentiment. :P

I opened a new poll by the way. Which Potter movie do you think is the best so far? Kindly check the sidebar. See you later! :P

blah

I WAS LITERALLY BITING MY NAILS as the American Idol results show was transpiring last week and I was so relieved that Matt got saved by the judges in the end despite of his not-so-brilliant performance. I think they have decided to use the ‘judges’ save’ because apparently, America knows how to vote—so far. Considering the pros and cons in saving Matt, it was still a gamble. Imagine if Danny or Adam would get the lowest votes this week. It’s very unlikely but still possible. I think Adam, Danny, and Kris will win the top three spots. Lil or Matt has the highest probability to get voted out. But I still think Matt is a very talented guy. The poll on my side bar corroborates this. The poll is still open by the way :D

The first official full theatrical trailer of the ‘Prince’ is finally out. I’m just out of words for this one. My brother downloaded a copy in HD last night and I can’t help but play it on a loop on our DVD player. There are a lot of new footages on this one. Click here for the video.

A clear look of the Inferis was finally revealed. I love the scene where Katie Bell plummets into the air screaming in agony as she suffers a deadly curse—really creepy. I like the tone in this one—dark and mystifying. The ‘Prince’ is my favorite installment in the 7-part series and to watch it this July 15 would be a great cinematic experience definitely worth the wait.

My mother finally went through with her first (hopefully the last) Electronic Shockwave Lithotripsy (ESWL) Treatment. It was the recommended treatment since she was advised that there is no longer need for an invasive surgery. Apparently, the ‘stones’ had already shrunk and non-invasive laser treatment should be sufficient enough to break the liths that blocks her ureters—less invasive, with less complications, and only done in an OPD basis. Some diet changes, lifestyle modifications, and strict drug regimen should completely restore the patency of her urinary tract.

I’ve been doing some blog-hopping lately and have stumbled upon very interesting sites that I would like to follow. It’s just really frustrating because for reasons unknown, I can’t leave comments on some of them (You know who you are :D). I can’t leave messages on those sites with this type of message box:

I am not sure why and I think the only solution is to change the layout. But the question is, will you change your layout for me? Hehe :D Just use a layout that do not utilize such comment box or change it if it’s possible. Please T_T

The sound device of the PC in my room got fried; hence, I can no longer play my music or watch movies in it. I can still watch movies but I am really not good at reading lips. I’m no computer expert either so I consulted my brother about the problem. He told me that its sound device is embedded in the motherboard and to fix it is to replace the motherboard itself. How he figured that out, I have no idea. And in an act of desperation I burned all my music files on data disks so that I could play them on the DVD player. I wish it could still be fixed without costing so much. Not being able to enjoy music and movies in the privates of my own room is unacceptable!

It rained so hard earlier this afternoon. Advantage—cooler weather. Disadvantage—we were flooded. T_T

a normal post

THIS WEEK HAS BEEN PRETTY DEPRESSING and I am bored out of my skull. No TV. No internet connection. Nothing new to watch. I am broke. And just to keep my sanity intact, I resolved into watching movies I already watched and write stories that didn’t really happen. Having said that I think I just lost it. I mean what kind of sane person does that, right? Hays. Imagine my delight when I learned that the results of the November 2008 Nursing Licensure Examinations came out today! : P

As expected, my Haley James nailed the examinations. There was no doubt in my head that she would make it. I just smiled when I saw her name on the roster (But before that, my heart was pounding out of my chest!). It had been tough on her given that she was working and studying at the same time. But you see? She’s definitely one of the smartest and independent people I know. She might appear small but she’s really big in so many ways.

Len-len made it too. I am really glad that she came through. No one deserves this more than her considering the tribulations she had gone through. Of all her beautiful attributes it’s her spirit that I admire the most. It is indeed inspiring to see it slowly being realized.

A lot of my batch mates who took the boards passed too. I was so thrilled when I saw their names posted on the online inquirer. Since most of them survived the grueling 2-day exams answering 500 questions, this calls for a lot of thanksgiving parties! Woohoo! And parties mean food! A lot of food! And late-night drinking sessions and of course---a lot of singing! Hehe!

I think the videoke machine is one of the most ingenious inventions ever made. This is a glimpse of what happens when you let me hold a microphone. Haha!

See that guy with the arrow? He looked depressed didn’t he? That fate awaits those who hear me sing. It’s as if their souls get sucked out of them though their ears. Haha! My LSS nowadays is Kundiman by Silent Sanctuary.

I was on you tube the other day and I saw these:

I can’t wait to see kristin kreuk do that helicopter kick! I just love her. Too bad she’s no longer in Smallville anymore.

May 15 is the day when the Illuminati will resurface again and destroy the very core of the Christian faith. This trailer gave me goose bumps!

And later this year, the Half-Blood Prince will premiere to rule the box-office for sure. Enough said.

I am so happy I get to write a ‘normal’ post again. My life is pretty boring lately you see, so forgive me if I scarcely write anything related to what happens to me in real life. : P Peace out!

another tease from the 'prince'

I AM STILL DISAPPOINTED and a little frustrated towards warner brothers’ decision not to premiere harry potter and the half-blood prince until july next year. this was supposed to be my most anticipated movie of 2008. watching it on IMAX 3D would’ve definitely beaten the exhilaration of passing my licensure examinations. harry potter fanatic talking… hehe!

since i can’t do anything about it, i just keep my self updated with the latest potter news while waiting, along with wizards, witches and muggles who knows the lightning-scarred boy busy playing with his stick. i visited mugglenet and found out that a new international teaser trailer has been released. and as usual, i couldn’t help but get excited. hehe!

i like this teaser far more than the first one. i was not able to place some scenes in relation to the ‘prince’ book and it made the anticipation more exciting. i want to be surprised. i am neither a potter book purist nor a movie purist. let the writers do what they have to do just let the story be true to the books. i have come to understand that the storyline of the book must be altered for it to fit a prescribed and limited length of a movie. but 24-hour long potter movie would be really cool! piece of advice: don’t read the books before watching. it lessens the disappointed. hehe!i am frustrated at first especially towards ‘sorcerer’s’ and ‘chamber’ because of the deleted scenes and changes but ‘azkaban’ was really great! alfonso cuaron twisted the story and i loved it. the fate of the ‘hallows’ was somehow left to david yates’ hands. crap.

i consider myself more of a reader than a writer and if harry didn’t pass under my nose i don’t think i could handle any extensive reading at all. the series made me love reading. i can’t remember how many times i’ve read each book from it. a principle somehow was formed in my head: if i could read a book as ‘thick’ as harry, i could deal with any thick books out there (except for medical books of course. there was this medical-surgical nursing book required for our curriculum. it was five inches thick and as big as the book of shadows in the tv series charmed. the letters were so minute it could practically blind you not to mention that it could cause severe cerebral hemorrhage due to very strange and difficult-to-pronounce medical terminologies. this book could kill, i tell you. but still i’m alive, you see? haha! did i mention it’s on two volumes?). i was fascinated by jk rowling’s descriptive and creative prowess. since harry potter, i was motivated to read other literary works and authors. i usually dig novels about mysteries and conspiracies that’s why i admire dan brown’s works. as time went by, i was also able to view reading not just a form of entertainment and aesthetic pleasure but somehow, an escape.

it was on my sophomore year in high school when a very close friend, tracey, let me borrow her sorcerer’s stone. it took me three weeks to finish it given that it’s just a relatively thin book. i was a slow reader back then. my reading incompetence probably gave tracey a clever idea because soon after i returned it she turned lending harry potter books to a business--5 pesos a day. haha! three weeks of reading would’ve cost me 70 pesos. hehe!

anyway, i went to haley’s place last night to do some catching up and watched some one tree hill episodes. the marathon was going fine until the sounds went out. haley’s crappy sound system was the culprit. hehe! i forgot to bring my ‘dolby surrounds’ because i was so excited to hang out with her. the sounds went back anyway and i was glad the episodes were a lot cheery than the previous set. i remembered watching it, insisting on watching some gossip girl afterward, just to neutralize the heavy mood.

after watching we ate three large fries, burgers and cola at mcdonald’s, my treat. we were so full! i missed hanging out with her in that place. i couldn’t remember the last time we ate there. so many memories. after some funny and mushy talks i walked her home, her arm wrapped on mine. upon arrival at her place, i kissed her good bye and went home. she had no idea she’s the one person that keeps me sane through all my emotional baggage. i’ll definitely miss her when she leaves for saudi arabia. but just like peyton’s father had said, “people always leave. but sometimes it’s good.”

hales, if you’re reading this, please don’t comment! hahaha! peace out!

a tease from the 'prince'

SOMETHING WICKED THIS WAY COMES. the long wait is over and anyone who know the spectacled boy with a lightning-shaped scar on his forehead (playing with his wand. hehe!), is experiencing the same tingling sensation on the spine as i feel right now. i could imagine each and one of them celebrating, screaming (or stifling it and squishing something instead) their lungs out for a glimpse of the most magical movie experience of the year as it spread like an epidemic on the internet and television—the teaser trailer of harry potter and the half blood prince. (kapow!).

after ages and ages of visiting youtube.com, patiently waiting and looking for the official teaser of the latest of one of the most famous movie franchise in history (ever!), and getting fan-made crappy versions (sorry) of it instead, and visiting forums and various related sites…the official one had finally emerged…rousing in anticipation, muggles and wizard-kind alike…

feast your eyes with this official teaser trailer of the latest movie adaptation of j.k. rowling’s 6th installment; of the seven part series of the pivotal life of harry potter…



i had to watch it several times (i lost count of course). i dwelled on every second of it, squinted on every pixel, trying to catch every detail. i loved how they interpret the containers that hold the memories. they remind me of ampoules—they are made of glass used to contain emergency drugs (i love breaking ampoules. curious because breaking them open boosts my self-esteem in my hospital affiliations. weird. haha!). the young tom riddle was really creepy. his eyes did the trick. if i’m not mistaken, he’s the kid from the ‘omen’. anyway, it’s cool to see marvolo gaunt’s ring. i love how the visual artists interpret tom’s orphanage. really creepy. very fitting for a building to raise the dark lord. what’s really striking about the trailer was the ‘lake scene’ where dumbledore conjures a revolving fire, while standing on a crystal island (the crystals reminded me of superman’s fortress in the north pole. haha!) it’s like the iconic battle between gandalf (sir ian mckellen) and the balrog in the mines of moria. you had to have a background on the lord of the rings trilogy to understand what i’m blabbering about…hehe!

the trailer was so dark…i like it dark. i hope the movie would be darker. i want to see if david yates could surpass himself, considering that he also directed last year’s order of the phoenix (which is my favorite from the movie series, just under alfonso cuaron’s prisoner of azkaban. hehe!) the half-blood prince is my favorite of the book series. it showcases the most tragic ending in my opinion. i had an emotional connection with this one. cried. and i have no plans of telling you why in case you didn’t know that dumbledore died. (oops! hehe!) i just can’t wait to watch it on imax 3d! (wee!) harry potter fanatics out there: i hope to see you in mall of asia, alright? ciao!