Transformers is Coming to Town!

A movie to watch out for. There's lots of good movies coming out these months (Shrek 3 and Pirates).

5 Reasons Why Spider-man 3 Didn't Meet My Expectations

I was a little disappointed with Spider-man 3. I felt it was too ambitious that it didn't quite hit the bull's eye. It just didn't work. It's like they knew they nailed it on 2 (best of the three) that they super-sized everything on the third installment (sometimes I do that). It's like a soap opera that has a scheduled expiration but because it was so good the producers just has to extend the plot, put on some new twists and characters in the plot to keep us watching. Here are 5 reasons why Spider-man 3 didn't meet my expectations:

1. Too much villains it's unbelievable.
   
2. Too much CG effects that are quite obvious.
3. Poor character development because there were lots of new characters (Venom, Sandman, Gwen Stacy) and some unnecessary characters placed in the plot (Aunt May, landlord and her daughter, the captain).
   
4. Too much melodrama.
   
5. Bad bad script. I wonder who wrote this sequel's script. Some scenes are dragging, others too theatrical, and still others just flat out cheesy (especially the bad Peter Parker dance sequels)

Carmen's Eulogy

"The essence of [God's] forgiveness lies in His word and in His mystery. Because although God sends us the message, it is our task to decipher it. Because when we open our arms, the earth takes in only a hollow and senseless shell. Far away now is the soul in its eternal glory. Because it is in pain that we find the meaning of life and the state of grace that we lose when we are born. Because God in His infinite wisdom puts the solution in our hands. And because it is only the absence of His physical presence that the place He occupies in our souls is reaffirmed."

- Pan's Labyrinth

Today I went to Makati to pick up the graduation pics of our school. I'm in charge of the multimedia on our school's graduation ceremonies. Before that I went to pick up the Hebrew Book I photocopied in Asturias. Ahh, the UST days. Went to Glorietta, Netty and I were gonna watch 300, finally much anticipation because everyone who saw it recommended it. So for 3 hours I walked around G4 and Greenbelt 3, going around bookstores free reading. Finally I was able to find the book I was looking for months now, I forgot the title and author until I saw it on the shelf again. It is Paulo Coehlo's "Like the Flowing River." It's a collection of the authors reflections and thoughts. After spending some time reading its first 30 pages at Fruit Magic, I am more amazed at how this guy writes. Some memorable entries are "The Story of the Pencil," "How to Climb a Mountain," and the story about Genghis Khan.



"300" was a good movie. I am reminded by the movie "Gladiator" when I saw it. The movie is about the king of Sparta and how he and his 300 men fought the advancing Persian kingdom. The movie was rated R for violence and nudity. I liked the cinematography of the film which by the way was 100% shot behind blue/green screens. But most of all, I liked it because I was affirmed by the movie's leadership insights (though it's hardly their intention). His leadership is something to be admired and acquired. He lead his men to war: Leaders ought to be in the front lines, not like chess players playing their soldiers. He was relevant yet had commanding authority. He was respected by his men and they were loyal to him. I hope that's how I'm practicing my leadership.

Definitely to watch out for... but isn't that too CG?

"They (the Samurai) are an intriguing people. From the moment they wake up they devote themselves to the perfection of whatever they pursue. I have never seen such discipline."

"There is so much here I will never understand. I've never been a church-going man, and what I've seen on the field of battle has led me to question God's purpose. But there is indeed something spiritual in this place. And though it may forever be obscure to me, I cannot but be aware of its power."

- Captain Nathan Algren, "The Last Samurai"

"They should name a gender after you. Looking at you doesn't do it. Staring is the only way that makes any sense. And trying not to blink, so you don't miss anything. And all of that, and you're you... It's just you are drop dead, crazy gorgeous! So much so that I'm actually considering looking at you again before we finish up here."

- John Clasky, "Spanglish"