Taare Zameen Par [Like Stars On Earth] (2007)

From India's most celebrated personality, Aamir Khan brought again another important film about being unique, different and learning about life.

The degree of fondness on this may not be as high as 3 Idiots but this is really a good cinematic work.  It may focus on a certain condition to humanize the story but in the end, it teaches us one of our core values - understanding.

The movie also tells us to seize the opportunity of molding/helping someone to be a better person (not what the society imposes us to be).  

Commendable for parents also as it says a lot about good parenting and expectations placed on children.

Why can't we Filipinos produce something like this - light but soulful and deep?

Thanks to Lester for the recommendation.

Transformers: Age Of Extinction (2014)

If you are watching a Michael Bay film, there should be no favorable expectations at all except that there will be more than enough explosions that give you migraine.  X-Men defines my teen years but childhood years belong to Transformers, so despite the lack of worthy storyline and well thought scripts - I have been a fan of the franchise.

Simply put, as long as I am entertained - I am good.

However, this premise is only good for a reasonable 2 hour film but for a 2 hour and 45 minute movie, the result will be traumatic.  Although initially, I thought it would be fun.  I am not really sure why Mr. Bay made this longer than usual but for sure, he didn't think this film will be vying for an Oscar or did he?  I don't think this is not good also for the film as it will eat up several screenings in a day.

I just think that there are numerous scenes that should have been edited/removed in the final cut.

But again, Transformers will always be Transformers regardless of the screening time.  It is expected to crush the box-office numbers this week and maybe this year's blockbuster film.

PS: China is undeniably a major player in this blockbuster films.

Hong Kong (2014)

It's been 2 weeks since my recent stint in HK.  Of course another work-related travel which is generally speaking good but this time around, it was a painful experience not because of work but due to me not feeling well.

I was never fascinated with Hong Kong although I have been in this place 4 times including this trip.  I know that it is a fashion heaven but besides that, I have a lot of issues being in that place which I won't be able to write in this page as I don't want to be tagged as racist although we are all a little racists from time to time.

It was only a 2-night business trip.  I have with me my co-project manager from my previous employer.  He's cute and yummy Chinese guy (from Shanghai) but straight and talkative, hahahahahaha!  Nevertheless, he's more than ok.  My only regret is that I should've joined him in the pool but fuck my chills and fever.  Ugh!

In terms of objective, I think we have completed what we came for but my God, the in-between times were excruciatingly painful.  I had my medicines but I don't understand why they didn't work longer than expected.

Met some HK colleagues and had dinner with my lovely boss!  All good!

I wasn't myself because of my condition, the money I withdrew from BPI was not enough to pay the bills.  The card didn't work overseas and when I tried to cash advanced from my credit card, I cannot remember the PIN (well I don't recall activating any PIN).

It was difficult and the rebooking of flight made it more unbearable.  A called PAL PH for flight rebooking and he waited for almost an hour and nobody responded!  Then he called the US hotline -

Agent: There will be a fee-nal-ti
A:  Sorry what?
Agent: A fee-nal-ti
A:  Can you spell it for me?
Agent: P-E-N-A-L
A:  Ahhh penalty.  Puwede ba magtagalog na lang tayo?  

Eventually my flight was rebooked via Canada phoneline.

But wait there's more - I have mentioned that I don't have enough money so I asked the taxi drivers if they accept credit cards, too bad they don't.  I did some charades and obviously they had their fair share of it as well, "charaded" me to ask the hotel to give me a cash by charging my credit card.

The trip was full of excitement - I bet it would be more exciting if I joined China man in the pool.

Noah (2014)

Finally, the ship has docked - due to suit filed by Solar Films, the original screening which should be last April - didn't materialize.  Oh well...

So, is it worth the wait?  Sadly, no.  Due to the fact that I didn't recognize this delusional Noah and it is a very different story compared to what has been told in Superbook (or maybe I had a different interpretation).  I understand that it should be gritty and dark but I think it's just too much to make it more a 21st century story.

Also what's with the angels turned Inhumanoids (rock transformers)?

Of course anyone who speaks nowadays of apocalypse or world destruction is considered to be crazy or just like Noah

Superb casting and acting nonetheless.

Edge Of Tomorrow (2014)

Not really a fan of Tom Cruise and initially thought another Oblivion kind-of-thing so may have to pass this one.  But then as weeks went by, I saw that it built solid reviews so decided to have this a go.

Well it went the opposite of my expectations on different aspects.  I think this is the first sci-fi Tom Cruise flick that I really loved, of course part of it also was because of dear Emily Blunt.  

Three words - quirky, funny, and original (I think).

It still has the usual thrilling kill the aliens moments (plenty of it) but will not hit the saturation point which is really really good.  It lacks twist but because of the consistency and well-paced action sequences the film delivered very well.

The Fault In Our Stars (2014)

Let's get this straight - it's one of those cancer movies but the main difference is I don't feel no exploitation.  I know it's tragic but I liked how it stayed honest by having wise and witty dialogues.  

No cliche damsel in distress moments and the female protagonists did a great job for portraying this girl having an unbreakable shell but eventually cracked in and gave into his soulmate.

Did not read the book so no comment if it was faithful or not.

This maybe the best romantic film of 2013 and will be in the "critical" league of "Perks" and "Spectacular Now" (which I didn't like).

Just bring the right amount kleenex but I cried more with "A Walk To Remember" than this one (please don't judge me).

And like any romance film, it's always about the ONE.

The Normal Heart (2014)

“Once upon a time, there was a little boy who always wanted to love another little boy. One day, he finally found that love and it was wonderful. You cry and you cry until you think you can’t cry anymore, and then you cry some more. Not only for yourself and Felix, but for all the little boys who finally found their other little boys they wanted all their lives now that we’re men."

Based on the broadway autobiographical play of the same name written by Larry Kramer.  It tells the struggle of group of friends in New York in getting support from the government relating to AIDS epidemic as death toll escalates.

Firstly, I applaud Larry Kramer for winning the cause although I know that the fight is not over but because of him and other heroes we have come so far in terms of awareness and progress.  Still a lot of work has to be done especially removing the HIV stigma.

Thanks to HBO for always supporting LGBT community and for taking this big step.

This Ryan Murphy helmed HBO production stars an ensemble cast (Mark Ruggalo,Julia Roberts, Matt Bomer, etc.) guarantees an Emmy nod for their brilliant performances and the film itself.

There are a lot of emotions, cried bucket of tears not only because of the sadness and grief but more of the anger and rage.  You can't help think if the government acted quickly, how many lives could've been saved?

As what Tommy eulogized, “Why are they letting us die? Why is no one helping us? And here’s the truth, here’s the answer. They just don’t like us.” 

PS:  The film was great but I think Angels in America will still be THAT film.  You might be interested to watch "And The Band Played On".