The Snow Queen*

After a long time, I was able to enter a cinema again. It was delighting because we needed to unwind. The moment was right because the preliminary exams are over. We did not really know what movie to watch but as it turned out, we did not regret choosing Frozen.

This 2013 animated film is beautiful as it talks about love all over again. "An act of true love" can make anything possible. Yes, the topic love is now so common with almost everything already used for a concept. However, isn't it amazing to talk about it again to remind us of what it is?

This royal family has an eldest daughter that has magic. It can either be a curse or a blessing depending on how Elsa will use it. She has to learn how to control it to be able to call it a blessing. If things get out of hand, it obviously becomes a curse. Her emotion greatly affects it. In real life, anything we have is basically on our hands. I mean, how to use them in our lives is our decisions. It just boils down to how we see things because of our preference.

The family protected her secret even to her younger sister Anna. Anna used to know Elsa's magic and they used to be close but due to an accident, her memory was altered and eventually, they grew apart.

Many times, people think that others are better off without us - ignoring the fact that there are people who loves us enough to chase us and bring us back home. When Elsa was of age, she inherited the throne of the kingdom because when they were still young, their parents died in an accident. During the coronation night, as the gates were opened, people witnessed this magic she possess and became afraid of her. The same can be said with her so she ran away. Apparently, she wasn't able to control it. She did not want to hurt others so she built her own palace on the mountain.

To cut things short, one thing that I like the most from this movie is that we have to love ourselves in order to love others. When Elsa went far enough, I was moved by how she was able to accept herself. At the end of this entry, a video clip of this particular portion is available for viewing. I want to share it so watch it when you're free. Since the others know it already, and she's on her own, she relieved herself from despair by seeing the beauty of her magic. To her alone, it is a blessing because she is certain that she won't hurt herself. However, with others' existence around, she cannot control it because of her worrying.

So, after loving yourself, you can finally love others. Love is the key. In the end, she realized that it was the only answer to everything. She got her sister back and at the same time, she learned how to control her magic and restored the kingdom's peace. "An act of true love" solved their problems.

To end this, I would also like to share that Olaf is remembered, the funny and optimistic snowman, as well as Sven, the reindeer of Kristoff that acts like man's bestfriend.

------------------------------------------------------------------

*The Snow Queen - a story written by Hans Christian Anderson which inspired Walt Disney's animated film Frozen

Play Dead

This guy knows how to play dead for real. Ashton Holmes played roles that are key persons but then die on the latter part of the story. I don’t know what is with him but the roles he auditioned for seems to have death sentence on them. They ended up badly even though the characters were good guys.

 

The first time I saw him was in Nikita Season 1, a series about a former agent who went rogue from a dirty branch of government that trained but she wants to destroy. I saw him the second time on Wind Chill wherein someone's past doesn't want to stay past so it haunted this guy and gal who were on their way home for holidays. The third time was in The Divide, a story about survivors stuck in a basement of a building because of nuclear attack.

 

This entry is just a feature composition that I wanted to share because I noticed this little detail. Until next time. Cheers!

The Power of Silence

Who ever said that silent people do not make difference? Think twice. You do not know the power of introverts.

However, this entry is not about that. This is written to express the appreciation for the 2012 movie "A Thousand Words." The concept is very good because it makes the viewers realize every action that they have made. It makes them think that what they do affects the people around them most especially the people they value, that once they have done something wrong, they have to make up for it. Nothing is ever too late. The main point is that you've tried no matter what.

But I believe that at the end of the day, it is a case to case basis. The movie is moving, yes, but in real life, it applies to certain situations. I am not going to go about it in detail, but not everyone talks a lot to make their point.

I am one of those people who keeps silent because I know what I should do; I am conscious of my behavior. I may not know better sometimes, but I know what I am doing. I do the things I do because I have reasons. There are times that my actions are misinterpreted, but know that it is for others, not for myself.

As I've always noticed, comedy is still a powerful way to make someone cry while watching. The sudden change of mood is effective. As the story goes, with the help of musical scoring, the goal will be achieved afterwards because the idea was passed along. Like the game I used to play, "I got the message."

So, it is good if a person is outspoken, knows how to express himself all the time. However, do not ignore the fact that there will be also people in your life that is quiet. He may not always react or express his feelings, but you may not know that behind the camera, he does all the works. I don't know if I made my point clear, if the message was sent clearly, but one day, I want to make you understand the power of silence.

You Fixed My Cup

“How many do you see...? Look at me. You’re focusing on the problem. If you focus on the problem, you can’t see the solution. Never focus on the problem. Look at me... Let’s see what no one else sees. See what everyone else chooses not to see... See the whole world anew each day...”

As an avid film viewer, I really love to watch movies. Whatever genre it may be, it’s fine, but of course, horror, suspense, thriller, or mystery is preferred.

One of my favourite movies is ‘Patch Adams’ starring Robin Williams. It is based on a true story that is really inspiring and touches comedy. It is inspirational simply because the main character never gave up in life. Though some of the turn of events in his life is tragic, he still stood up after falling.

Patch is the type of person who tries to please everyone. The saying “you cannot please everyone” is well-known, but this 1999 film and his story is different. Aspiring to be a doctor, he really wanted to make a deeper connection and relationship with his patients. Some people did not like him. He just ignored it and just continued and didn’t stop.

For people looking for some humour, this is suggested. At the same time, be inspired. It hits two birds with one stone.

P.S. If I just may add, the first time I watched this film was back in high school in Technical Arts subject. So, you may wonder, what’s the relevance? Well, our teacher bid farewell because he will teach in another school. This is his parting message.

How many of us go through life hanging onto a belief that we cannot do something, simply because we failed at it once before?

So make an attempt to grow further... Why shouldn’t we try it again?

OUR ATTEMPT MAY FAIL, BUT NEVER FAIL TO MAKE AN ATTEMPT.

I hope that this movie would inspire you in achieving your goals in LIFE.

As long as you have the DETERMINATION and COURAGE, YOU can achieve what you want...

God Bless and Good Luck to your next JOURNEY...

I hope that you won’t forget ME as your TEACHER.

I will miss YOU.

-Sir Jonald Salinas (to Class 2010) last 2009

We Will Survive

"French films are not commonly recognized."

This is some of Mr. Martin Macalintal's words before the movie was played. He is from the Embassy of France to the Philippines who accompanied Director Stephane Rybojad to promote the film in SM Mall of Asia.

Special Forces is a film about a French journalist who was kidnapped in Afghanistan.*  The word journalist is present, but the story is mainly about the special forces, a military team sent out to rescue Elsa and return her safely to her land.

Some brutality were depicted. There were murders. Those scenes reminded me of Maguindanao Massacre. It was so cruel. That's one reason I felt some tears around my eyes. But, primarily, all was because of those men who gave themselves willingly to distract or hold the enemy off for the safety of the others.

I have friends who are taking AB Journalism. I was with one when I watched the film. We can relate to all that has happened in the movie because we are aware that it is part of life in media. Only two were left on my batch in Lyceum. Unlike in first year, second year, and fourth year college. They are also few. But compared to our batch, it is considered plenty. It may somehow be recognized as the normal count because only a few take Journalism in LPU. I salute those who choose to take and stay in Journalism.

From a viewpoint of someone who watched for appreciation, I always admire how courageous journalists are to pursue the truth. I will never wish, or even think, that the main character will die in the end. The movie was also her story. Moreover, if she died, everything those soldiers did will be for nothing.

From a stand of someone who watched to critique the camera angles and shots and those alike, I'm sorry to disappoint you, I did not care. I did not take mental notes. After learning all those stuff in production classes, my friends and I looked, from that moment on, at how every scene is executed, how the scene was shown, etc. But I believe, they are not always to be applied, most especially when one merely watches for the sake of entertainment. For this film, I was more after what would happen next because of the action and the drama than all the preparation done for the movie.

Those soldiers made a lot of sacrifices, even at the cost of their lives, just to fulfill their duty. They know what they've signed up for when they decided to join.

That's why I, as well, will not shift on any other courses. I know that there are some dangers attached to the career I've chosen to pursue, but this is my choice. This is what I want. This was given to me. I will not back down; I will not quit. I know what I've signed up for.

------------------------------------------------------------------

*http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1656192/

Chloe: The Special Psychological Analysis

 

INTRODUCTION

 

Chloe is a beautiful young woman who suffers from a personality disorder.
 

The movie, entitled after her name, Chloe, is a story about a relationship of a husband and a wife (David and Catherine); a mother and a son (Catherine and Michael); a woman to another woman (Catherine and Chloe); and a son and a patient (Michael and Chloe).

The movie is kind of ‘connect-the-dots’ because each one got into contact with another. The problem of the first pair is suspicion of infidelity. At first, it was only Catherine thinking about it. But since they live in the same house, that thought got passed to David and so he thinks the same way about Catherine. 

“Where did the little boy who used to run to his mommy’s arms go?” is the scenario of the second pair. Michael is a teenager now and as teen agers act nowadays, it’s as if they can already live on their own, independent from their parents.

For the third pair, what Catherine was missing for a long time, she found in Chloe. It may not be appropriate, but that’s how the story went. It was Chloe’s doing that led them together in one bed for a night. It was what she had wanted the moment she met Catherine.

Lastly, Chloe didn’t stop when Catherine asked her to keep distance already. However, the girl became hard headed and found a way to satisfy herself. She saw Catherine in Michael, so she made up with him also with Catherine in her mind, not Michael.

This entry will analyze Chloe’s actions and explain them one by one with the use of psychology. It was her who brought a huge damage into the family. The process will be done step by step.

a. Describe – What is the situation? Identify and classify behaviors and mental processes as accurately as possible.
b. Explain and Understand – Why is it happening? Propose reasons for such behaviors and mental processes.
c. Predict – Under what conditions is the behaviour/event likely to occur? Offer educated guess about how a given condition will affect behaviors and mental processes.
d. Control – How is the principle applied or what change in condition is necessary to prevent unwanted occurrence or to bring about a desired outcome?
 

PLOT SUMMARY

 

The Stewart family: Catherine, a doctor; David, a professor; Michael, a musician. They may seem fine, but the truth is, they have problems just like some other families. Then, there is this woman named Chloe whose occupation is an escort or a call girl. She’s been with a lot of men already. And she enters their world.
 

Catherine is already aging, and so is her husband. In that case, she’s always too conscious of her appearance thinking of it as a factor why she and David seemed to grow apart. Their son, Michael, is growing up fast as well but growing away from Catherine.

David misses his flight back home on the day of his birthday. That’s when Catherine’s suspicions grew more because of the text message she found in David's phone with a picture of David and a girl. She hires Chloe to seduce David to see whether her husband is cheating or not and to see David's reaction when Chloe will approach him. The deal: Catherine instructs Chloe of what to do and after each meet up with David, Chloe will report back to her.

 

The meetings continued even after Catherine decided that the second attempt of Chloe would be the last. But before the second meeting, Catherine and David are kind of going back to the way they used to be. However, Chloe said that something happened between her and David. Catherine became so emotional and Chloe took advantage of it. In the end, something happened between her and Catherine.

 

After that, Catherine asked Chloe to take some distance already, but she was too driven to just leave. Catherine decided to talk to David about what she is doing, so she told him to meet in a cafe and she also invited Chloe. When the two saw each other, David didn't recognize Chloe. Catherine realized that Chloe is just making up stories for her to be with Catherine and took advantage on her. Chloe went to Catherine’s house because she sees Catherine on Michael and so she approached him. Something happened between them. While they are making out, Chloe is looking at Catherine's stuffs and she is feeling Catherine on Michael, and when Catherine saw them together, a tragic ending happened to Chloe’s life.

 

In the end, Catherine still has Chloe’s affection because she uses the hair pin given to her by Chloe.

 

CHARACTERS
 

Catherine Stewart – played by Julianne Moore (Evolution, 2001), is a gynaecologist who becomes paranoid at the thought that her husband is having an affair, being untruthful; she became insecure and anxious at that point of time;

David Stewart – played by Liam Neeson (Batman Begins, 2005), is a professor of music, has a characteristic of flirting, but as he describe it to his wife for an instance in a restaurant, “just being friendly because people are usually rude to service people;”

Michael Stewart – played by Max Theriot (The Pacifier, 2005), is a musician, a pianist; doesn’t talk to his mom; kind of rebellious;

Chloe – played by Amanda Seyfried (Mamma Mia! 2008), is an escort, a prostitute

 

MOVIE REACTIONS
 

Many people don’t know how to talk to people to whom they have problems with - directly. They communicate to others with the use of a medium. In a group, one would ask another to relay a message to the other member. Or if they really don’t want to talk to them, they do inappropriate things: they backstab. Some just choose to stay quiet and observe.
 

Sometimes, these actions worsen an already worse situation. By beating around the bush, you kind of make things a lot complicated. Instead of talking to others personally and make things up and put an end to it, you add more to the difficulty of the situation.

In the movie Chloe, Catherine is having thoughts that her husband is being unfaithful. It led her to make a decision to hire a prostitute to be able to find out if her conclusion was correct. The situation was, “I want to hear the story” and not “I want to see it for myself.” So she didn’t really know if what Chloe was saying was true or not. In the end, she fell for Chloe’s trap; Catherine fell into Chloe’s hands and body.

I haven’t had a relationship yet so I don’t know how it feels to be jealous. But if it happens to me, I’m thinking, would I be able to talk to her face to face? Will I have the courage to ask a question if she’s seeing someone else? Then it came into my mind that I should not be judgmental. I think even psychologists will have a hard time dealing with it, thinking so hard of what would be the most appropriate way to solve the issue. A cheating partner… the thought hurts because you will keep on thinking what you have done wrong. Will you be able to fix the relationship? Who will she choose between the two of us?

It will never be easy to say until that moment arrives, but I pray that it won’t.
 

-Eric James H. Pastor

 

Trust is one of the most important factors that affect the relationship of two people. Without trust, you will be filled with thoughts that your partner is not truthful to you. Without trust, your mind and your heart will not be at peace. Catherine’s trust to David became weak because of what happened on David’s birthday.

In the movie, Catherine tested the truthfulness of her husband, so she hired Chloe to find out what will his husband do if Chloe will meet him.

Chloe is a manipulator. She will make different ways to get what she wants even if she will be in great danger. Chloe seeks for attention and because of that, she lied to Catherine so she can be with her. But Catherine believed on what Chloe is telling her. In short, Catherine trusted Chloe. Catherine did not verify the information reported to her by Chloe. She is not careful to whom she trust. Trust is very important so do not just give it away to anyone.

For me trust is easy to give away, but once it is broken, it is hard to bring it back. Catherine easily fell on Chloe’s trap. The movie is unexpected because it is executed as if Chloe’s stories are true. Maybe if Catherine talked to David about what she discovered on his cell phone, maybe this will not come into the point that Chloe will be in their life. And maybe Chloe will not be manipulating them.

If Catherine really loves David, she would ask him if he is with someone the night of his birthday. It should be a give and take relationship, I trust you and you trust me in return. The story of the couple is a typical story but Chloe made it complicated.

 

Trust, this is what Catherine lack for David. That’s what the root of all these, trust.
 

-Joshua Miguel A. Delos Santos

DISCUSSION

 

“I guess I’ve always been pretty good with words. In my line of business, it’s as important to be able to describe what I’m doing as it is to do what I’m doing, when to say what, what words to select. Some men hate to hear certain terms. They can’t stand specific moves and then they can’t live without others. It’s part of my job to know where to place my hands, my lips, my tongue, my leg, and even my thoughts. What kind of pressure, for how long, when to stop. I can become your first kiss or a torn out image from a Playboy magazine that you found when you were nine years old. Am I your secretary, or am I your daughter? Maybe I’m your seventh grade math teacher you always hated. All I know is that if I do it just right, I can become your living, breathing, unflinching dream, and then I can actually disappear. ”

 

This is how the movie begun. This is Chloe’s line. This is how she described her character in the film.

 

By hearing or reading it, you will learn a lot about her. She is a woman who gives service to people who wants excitement or happiness. She knows what she does and how to do her work. She is conscious in her line of business.

 

What’s wrong about her is that after meeting Catherine, she got emotionally attached to her. Catherine hired her for professional business because she wants to use her expertise in seduction in an investigation to prove whether David is truthful about their relationship. After Chloe met Catherine’s husband, she reported to Catherine immediately and she got paid for that.

 

The next day, Michael is being dumped by his girlfriend, and Catherine heard the conversation. Michael saw it so he slams the door in his mother’s face. Because of that, Catherine and David talked to each other. Catherine felt the love of her husband and realized that he is not cheating on him. But because Chloe got emotionally attached on her, she texted Catherine to meet her and she told her that she went out with her husband and they kissed in a hidden place. Catherine didn’t want to hear more, so she left. But it’s like Chloe has planned everything and she made up a little accident for her to spend time with Catherine more. That’s when she displayed delusion personality disorder.

 

Unlike most other psychotic disorders, the person with delusional disorder typically does not appear obviously odd, strange, or peculiar during periods of active illness. Yet the person might make unusual choices in day-to-day life because of the delusional beliefs. Expanding on the previous example, people who believe they are under government observation might seem typical in most ways but could refuse to have a telephone or use credit cards in order to make it harder for "those Federal agents" to monitor purchases and conversations. Most mental health professionals would concur that until the person with delusional disorder discusses the areas of life affected by the delusions, it would be difficult to distinguish the sufferer from members of the general public who are not psychiatrically disturbed. Another distinction of delusional disorder compared with other psychotic disorders is that hallucinations are either absent or occur infrequently.

 

An important aspect of delusional disorder is the identification of the form of delusion from which a person suffers. So we categorized Chloe’s delusion disorder as erotomanic form. Because in the erotomanic form of delusional disorder, the primary delusional belief is that some important person is secretly in love with the sufferer. The erotomanic type is more common in women than men. Erotomanic delusions may prompt stalking the love object and even violence against the beloved or those viewed as potential romantic rivals.

 

Like Chloe, she displayed an erotomanic form of delusion because she has a belief that Catherine is secretly in love with her and she finds David a romantic rival so she made up stories for Catherine and David fight and maybe she wanted them to separate.

 

But we also think that Chloe has a histrionic personality disorder.

 

A key feature of individuals with histrionic personality disorder is the lability and shallowness of their affection: HPD patients may quickly change from being very sad to very cheerful, and express both feelings equally dramatically. To others, however, these feelings may seem unreal or shallow. HPD patients seek to be the center of attention, and are unhappy when they are not. To attract attention they may be overly emotionally expressive, or use their appearance, perhaps by being flirtatious or inappropriately playful in interpersonal contact. They are quite extraverted and tend to perceive their relationships with others as more special than these others do. Five or more out of the eight criteria need to be met to satisfy the formal diagnosis.

 

Diagnostic Criteria for HPD
A pervasive pattern of excessive emotionally and attention seeking, beginning by a early adulthood and present in a variety of contexts, as indicated by five or more of the following:
1. is uncomfortable in situation in which he or she is the center of attraction
2. interaction with others is often characterized by –inappropriate sexually seductive or provocative behavior
3. displays rapidly shifting and shallow expression of emotions
4. consistently uses physical appearance to draw attention to self
5. has a style of speech that is excessively impressionistic and lacking of detail
6. shows self-dramatization, theatrically, and exaggerated expression of emotions
7. is suggestible, example easily influenced by others or circumstances
8. considered relationships to be more intimate than they are actually are

 

HPD is most frequently diagnosed in women, and when it is diagnosed in men it has been associated with homosexuality. This gender differential, however, may be more a product of our societal expectations than a true difference in occurrence. It has been suggested that HPD is more appropriately seen as a caricature of sex roles in general including extreme masculinity as well as extreme femininity.. the extreme of femininity is fairly commonly diagnosed as histrionic, whereas a caricature of masculinity is rarely diagnosed as having HPD even though he would meet the DSM-III-R criteria. Such a man would not be likely to seek treatment.

 

Chloe manifested this disorder by doing something “accidentally” and “innocently” to catch Catherine’s attention. She slipped from her bicycle and got wounded in front of Catherine’s eyes to have the doctor clean and dress it up for her. She told stories about David’s affair with her, which were not true, to keep Catherine coming to her.

 

A case like this is not easy to handle because the patient will flirt her psychiatrist.

Premonition

I have watched the movie Premonition once before. I can’t recall when but I believe it’s been quite a long time already.

And just like before, I haven’t understood the full details of the story. All I know is its plot, how it started and how it ended. But in the middle of the movie, I know how it went, but I didn’t focus on the details. I believe my mind processed only selected parts and I don’t know why.

Anyway, all I have to do is react, right? I got plenty of it.

Being an avid film viewer, I have watched a lot of movies that involved tragedies. Premonition may be associated with Final Destination, Deja Vu, and Flash Forward. In all of them, characters knew what will happen in the future.

For one thing, it’s not easy being in a position of someone being able to foresee the future. It is very difficult. How will you react to it? How will you keep it? And say for example you’ve decided to share it to people involved, how will you say it? It affects your emotional side greatly. Someone or people you love and care for are at risk.

As I have observed, when you tell others what you know, it tends to become the main reason for the event/accident to happen. And since they know that you knew it, they will think of you as a suspect. On the other hand, if you choose to keep quiet and keep it a secret, it bothers you inside resulting for your disturbing treatment of others which will lead them to keep on asking ‘What is wrong? What is bothering you? Did I do something wrong?’

As I watched the movie, going back to the future, then to reality, and then back to future is kind of messing up my head. What more to the main character right? Once you share your story with others, they will think that you are crazy. But I admire what she had done. Facing it with courage even though at first, of course, it made her wonder what was happening. The only thing that I see as a regret is that when her husband already had a change of heart from what he was doing, it still ended up as what she saw, her husband died.

As I have read a quote, it says “Drive carefully. Why die in perfect health?” It makes sense. But if it is really his time, there’s nothing we can do but to accept it. But, everybody knows that it’s a lot better for it to have happened UNFORESEEN.

He is Sam

1. What did you learn about the challenges any new parent faces with a new born?

“I Am Sam” is a beautiful movie. It shows how a parent face challenges of raising child/children, but what makes it different is that the parent is mentally challenged, or what many would like to call straight away as mentally retarded.

I have learned that it will never be easy to become a parent, whether you are very smart or not properly educated, whether you are thinking straight or not. I think, though, that it will be love that will change it all and keep everyone intact.

Babies cry most of the time. Since people become new parent when a child is born, they will not know how to comfort a child until they get used to it. They will always think at the beginning “Oh, what is it? Are you hungry? Did you poop? What’s the matter? Does it hurt somewhere?”

Challenges are unavoidable and it doesn’t just end there. There will come a time that parents will experience financial crisis or if not, the inability to work properly because they have to bring the child to work when no one will be able to take care of it at home.

As shown in the movie, a new parent may also encounter scenarios wherein friends get mad because he forgot that they have a movie night on Thursday, for example.

Furthermore, if people find you incapable of raising the child properly, they take him/her away from you and find someone else to adopt the child. It hurts when someone and something yours is taken away. In the case of Sam, it seemed that he didn’t have the chance to get Lucy back. But nevertheless, he did all his best because he is her father and he is firm about that because she is his daughter. What joy it brought him when in the end, they were together again.

Despite of all of that, even though there are many challenges, I believe that becoming a parent is something to be proud of. The feeling is very different, overwhelming. It is an achievement, most especially when you see them succeed in life.

2. How does Sam cope with his new responsibilities as a parent?

Like everybody else, Sam seeks out help. He is smart but he cannot do things on his own most of the time most especially now that he is a parent. He was able to cope with his new responsibilities with the help of his neighbour Annie. She gives Sam advice whenever there are problems.

Sometimes, it’s his friends who help him in taking care of Lucy. They come over to Sam’s place and play with her. There were also times that the group contributes money when Sam can’t afford something, like when he was buying shoes for Lucy.

His employers helped him in his work at Starbucks first where he got a promotion, then at Pizza Hut where the owner agreed to testify for him.

3. What qualities does he possess? What does he lack?

Sam Dawson, as a mentally retarded person, possesses the characteristic of being able to take care of people and things that are his. He cherishes them. At work, he wants everything in order. He is capable of love, in reaching out to other people as he did with his lawyer Rita.

“I have had a lot of time to think about what it is that makes somebody a good parent. It’s about constancy, and it’s about patience, it’s about listening, and it’s about pretending to listen even when can’t listen anymore. It’s about love... I’m not a perfect parent and sometimes I don’t have enough patience and I forget that he is just a kid. But we built a life together and we love each other and if you destroy that, it will be irreparable.”

However, capable as a 7 year old child is, he doesn’t know what to do on his own. He cannot read. Sometimes he cannot control his emotions most especially if it is negative, more so when he is overwhelmed, either by happiness or sadness or anger. He is sensitive to negativity and that is what triggers the previous statement. He doesn’t also know how to differentiate good people with hooker.

So, that's it?

[Rec] and Quarantine are the same films. There are differences in some scenes but basically, [Rec] is in Spanish and Quarantine is in English. [Rec] is only an hour and fifteen minute film while Quarantine is appriximately one and a half hour. Quarantine is inspired by [Rec]. Of course, some names and characters differ but the main character is still Angela Vidal (and the dog is still named Max). Both movie has the same plot of story. So, yes, I have wasted my time.

[Rec] and Quarantine revolves around a reporter covering an assignment of filming the life of firemen, everything they do in front and behind the camera. That's it.

Being a reporter takes a lot of responsibility. I like the scene when either of the Angela Vidal actresses fight for their right to take video to let people know what is/was happening. Sad to say, the tragedy won't let their efforts do their job to reach the public. Instead of her and her cameraman reporting the event, it was them that was reported.

Being a reporter isn't easy. In your pursuit of the truth, it might also harm you. In the movie, although it is fictitious, a simple cover of firemen life killed the reporter and her cameraman. "People think we [firemen] run around putting out fires but around 70% of the calls we get are for other types of services. For example, broken water mains or stopping a water leak, or helping someone out of their apartment, or pet rescue, too." At that particular moment that Angela was with the firemen, they responded not to a fire alarm but of a neighbor disturbance. Yet, everybody died inside of the building where they went. Their timing was bad because the building was sealed when they have entered. If only they came late, they won't get in the middle of the situation. But in real life, you cannot say when and where. Remember what happened in the Maguindanao Massacre? A lot of journalists were killed. They were just accompanying someone who will pass her certificate of candidacy and all of them was ambushed.

Being part of the media takes a lot of courage to face everyday trials and issues. You also have to keep in mind that danger might be following you wherever you go, but not always.

Going back to the films, I like to compare and contrast them. I like the child of [Rec] better than of Quarantine. The sound she made is very interesting. Ahaha! Sorry for the word, but I like horror, creepy, suspense, thriller stories. I am also sorry to inform you that when I watched the two films (different day and time), I was eating. Take note, for both movie. It was not intentional, but I got hungry. Well, while eating delicious food, I was staring at blood squirting scenarios.

One thing I noticed is that the film is just around the people who were and went inside the building. The movie ended with Angela being pulled away from the camera view. So, that's it? Yes. Because it didn't continue to what those people outside did and because the whole movie was from the  first eye point of view, the view of those who are involved directly like in other movies such as Blairwtich Project, Cloverfield, and Paranormal Activity.

We Can Do It

I've heard a lot of comments that Green Lantern is boring. Well, for me it wasn't. Film viewing is my hobby. Of course I choose what to watch but basically, I'll watch anything. I judge movies after watching them. But it is so rare that I dislike movies. I can't even remember one or even enumerate those that I don't like until I hear their titles again.

I think it's kind of my problem in the field of U.S. films... telling what is good, not telling things as they are. For me, almost everything they produce is beautiful, sometimes awesome. The effects they use are amazing and I find their stories fascinating. But, I have no problem with myself with that. I am happy about it. If there comes a time that I have to be blunt and frank, I can and I will because time asks me to adopt. I know how to be objective, but not always on film viewing because I watch most of the time for the mere reason of entertaining myself when I'm not doing anything or whenever I need a break from doing something.

So I like the movie, not because it's "green" again (yes, I admit it is, but only a part) but because of the story of humans. When we are chosen, we kind of give all the possible reason for us not to be selected. Why don't we just believe that they chose us because they know we can?

The ring chose Hal Jordan (played by Ryan Reynolds) because it saw that he is fearless. Fearless is the job description. But he knew in himself and he admitted that he was afraid. The answer to this dilemma was given by Carol Ferris (played by Blake Lively), "The ring didn't see you fearless, it saw that you have the ability to overcome fear. It saw that you're courageous."

As I watch the movie, I learned that the ring can produce anything that we imagine. During Green Lantern's first appearance to the public when the helicopter was about to crash, Hal thought of a fast solution to keep the people safe. After that scene, I kind of reflected, if I was in that situation, would I have acted fast as well? Will I be able to do what he has done? Then I found the answer. We are not the same. He is he and I am me. I may not be able to do it in his way, but I will certainly do it on my way. And as I remember all the obstacles that I have encountered, I can say that I can act on the situation properly because I have seen myself in God's view. He won't give me trials if He knows I won't be able to face it.

Believe, that's all you need to do and trust, because you should not doubt.

She is?

Just by being a student, an officer of different positions, or by being a student leader, I know how hard it is to manage a class. Maybe that's the reason why I have never hated a teacher before. I know how they feel, I know how they teach and I know why they are like that. Maybe not exactly, but I still know some things.

I may have made fun of them secretly, it all passed out eventually. (I admit, I still do when I am with friends of long-time-no-see, but we're old and mature now and we know the limits). I may have said a lot of bad things about some of them at the beginning, that was only in the beginning. Everything changed when I knew them as time passed by. I know how to respect and accept them.

That is how I had composed my first post about teachers, I believe. Whenever I say something bad, as my professor said, I then counter them.

As I watched this 2011 film, I really got interested at how the main character played by Cameron Diaz will use each co-worker and each student to her advantage. I stay tuned. She made progress everyday. Haha! She was so bad that she can destroy the reputation of others just so she can build her's up. Then I realized, everything she was suddenly changed when the character she plays learned that by being a good teacher, she can have lots of money because there was some kind of competition. She needed money so badly because she wants an operation on her "future."

Actually, by being good, we will be rewarded. Not money at times but is it really needed to be money all the time?

Even though she was money driven, she still affected everyone around her in different ways. To some, they were good. To others, they were bad. But in the end, she still adopted. All the bad beginning of her teaching became better. She became so strict that she wants each and everyone to learn what she is teaching. Until the end, she had a boyfriend and became a guidance counsellor.

Yes, we need money. But why become so serious of doing bad things just to acquire it? Our relationships with other people are more important so don't sacrifice it. Be an example to others because in our own way, we are also teachers. As young as we are my friends, we are teachers. By the way, I'm 17 years old. Ahaha! :P

Aal Izz Well*

"You scare easily, bro. Take your hand, put it in your heart and say, 'Aal izz well*.'"

This 2009 movie is fitted to be viewed before stepping to college. I just watched this recently, now that I am a second year college student. But even without watching this before college, I have been facing the same way: I have God and I do all the best that I can.

This talks about the career one chooses for his future. I chose Mass Communication and I know that it has "a small stipend, but I'll learn a lot... I'll earn less, I'll have a smaller house, a smaller car, but I will be happy, I will really be happy." Also said in this movie is "Make your passion your profession."

This is full of laughtrip. But it still has drama. Nonetheless, I can say that comedy films are successful in making its audience cry. Just like in "Tanging Ina" movies. It is said that too much laughter can make you cry. But comedy movies make you laugh only when you reach the peak and the moment you cry, the movie is already in the drama part. They put it on right timing.

Choosing a career shouldn't be taken lightly. Your future would be at risk if you make a wrong choice. It doesn't only talk about oneself but also of the family.

Those who are known to be naughty, I know that you have abilities, abilities which you choose to keep. Show it, because one way or another, you have impact on other people. They may see most of it as negative, but to some people, some are positive because you also have influence to them. The main character of this movie is someone who is very naughty. As you watch this, see how he's able to reach to others, even to the teachers.

"3 Idiots" is a two hour (going three hour) film (2 hr. 44 mins to be exact) and you won't get bored. Watch it with friends and you'll enjoy it even more. After seeing it, you'll talk about it. I won't tell every detail but those that were mentioned here were my favorites, but not all because I think the whole movie is my favorite. To put it simply, it's my favorite movie. :D

So, to end, I'd like to use a line that made me laugh so hard. While we're still young, we better start reading "instruments that record, analyze, summarize, organize, debate and explain information; that are illustrated, non-illustrated; hard-bound, paperback, jacketed, non-jacketed with foreword, introduction, table of contents, index that are intended for the enlightenment, understanding, enrichment, enhancement, and education of the human brain through the sensory route of vision, sometimes touch." What is being implied? Books sir. XD

Ahaha! Enjoy! Aal izz well. :D

------------------------------------------------------------------
*Aal izz well - All is well :))

The Hangover

Because life at school nowadays is stressful, I decided to watch "The Hangover." And to tell you, I didn't had a hangover because I don't drink alcohols in times of heavy feelings. (Hehehe... XD) I didn't watch it today. I watched this several weeks ago.

This 2009 movie is very funny. It has Bradley Cooper and add Justin Bartha to the scene and some more actors that I only first encountered here.

Well, I had lots of laugh while watching this movie. The only thing that bothered me is the impact of the reality presented here indirectly, i.e. mean joke.

Imagine how it greatly affects the life of an individual most especially if it was made in public. Despite of all the humor, because comedy is the genre of the film, mean jokes were shown as second, but it's the dominant  factor because that's how the story started and that is where it goes around. It's not just noticeable.

Media affects life of people in ways that can be measured, but not always. It has great impact to a better life or a worse life.

Though at the end, the problem was solved, I do hope that the problem of practical jokes will also end.

Tee in the Way*

Nell is based on the play Idioglossia, a Greek term meaning a personal or private language. Though it is a 1994 film, I didn't get bored. As I have mentioned in the previous posts, I love film viewing.

"Mrs. Doubtfire" is the oldest film I have watched. It was produced in 1993. So "Nell" is the second oldest in the record. I have noticed that U.S. already produced good quality films like these even in the 90's. They are good.

I have come to know this movie because of symbolic interactionism, our next topic in Theories of Communication subject. I quite understood it. It's just that there are some confusions since it was self studied. Well, we'll have a thorough discussion about it this coming Monday. I get the point. But somehow, the idea goes round and round.

Even though I already know what the movie is all about, I still watched it closely because there will certainly be something that will surprise me... and there ARE.

Of course, thinking what happens when something out of the normal turns out, everyone's attention gather to that something. That happened in the movie because imagine, there is this girl who speaks a language that only she understands. Jodie Foster played her role very well. And the well known action star Liam Neeson played a romantic role here as Jerry Lovell, who patiently studied how to communicate to Nell and was successful. He was sweet and kind and thoughtful of his "partner" (played by Natasha Richardson as Paula Olsen). I can't believe it at first. But as the movie went on, I laughed very often.

I like this scene when Liam and his lawyer blocked Natasha and her police force when they were about to pick-up Nell to put her on a hospital. It was very funny. Another scene was when they were watching Nell swim. Their conversation made me laugh.

In the end, "Jerry and Paula got married and had a daughter. The sheriff's wife, who was depressed from the beginning of the film, was no longer depressed and she attributes her transformation to Nell. Despite the fact that has been thrust into a wider world of lawyers, reporters, and salesclerks who label her behavior deviant and insist she conform to societal roles, she seems strangely unaffected by their judgment or expectations. The character Jodie Foster plays radiates an inner peace and contentment."

"You have big things. You know big things. But you don't look into each other's eyes. And you're hungry for quietness. I've lived a small life. I know small things and know left ones. I know everyone goes. Everyone goes away. Don't be frightened for now. Don't wait for her. I have no greater sorrows than you."

---------------------------------------------------------

*Tee in the Way - Tree in the Wind, Nell's favorite line to act.

Bad Effect of What They Think As Something Good

Just recently I was watching a debate whether to pass the Divorce Bill or not. Surprisingly, as I was watching Mrs. Doubtfire, it was about divorce.

Robin Williams is the actor of the main character of this movie. This is a 1993 film that is two hour long. He was known more in Jumanji, Patch Adams, One Hour Photo, Robots, RV, Happy Feet, and Night at the Museum.

This movie talks about a man who felt so broken after his wife decided for them to get divorced. He cannot live without his children. As a result, he pretended to be an elderly women who applied for a care taker that his wife was looking for. It was quite easy for him to act with different voices because it comes from his job as a dubber man.

I was watching carefully waiting for the moment that the wife would cancel the divorce process so that they could be together again. But sad to say, it didn't.

All the seems-to-be-normal stuff like arguing about something, once married, is part of life. Maybe, it could somehow "injure" or damage the relationship. But divorce will also do the same, or even make the situation worse. In other words, it will destroy the bond that the marriage created. I saw that in the movie. At the end, although the woman decided to let his husband pick up his children to and from school, everything won't be the same. "At least" the children will still be able to see their father not once a week anymore. But look at how damaged it became. It's like they won't ever see their parents together again. At most, they would just stare at each other or something like that. Love is an important factor in a relationship and we should always take care of it. Before it's too late, let's always think before we act.