My Movie Library

The Man In The Iron Mask
It’s probably more fiction than fact but a lot has been written about the probable identity of the prisoner in the iron mask. No, it isn’t Leonardo DiCaprio. Who would want to hide that handsome face behind a gruesome mask? Sadly though, Leo is just the face, never the actor, in this movie. He did not have enough acting prowess to hold his ground alongside the likes of Jeremy Irons. Still, this is one of my favorite movies.


Edward Scissorhands
I thought this movie was poignant, candy-colored houses and cutely structured bushes notwithstanding. Johnny Depp displayed such depth in his character, you can’t help but feel for him despite the freakish appearance.


Devil’s Advocate
I honestly couldn’t grasp the concept of the movie, so correct me if I’m wrong. Does the movie say that Keanu Reeves’s character is the devil’s spawn? And that the devil needs him to dominate the millennium? Assuming I got the concept correctly, a lot of questions still arise making the plot more muddled than it already is. In my honest opinion, the movie was too ambitious tackling this side of the story when it could have done ok just making the hotshot lawyer an advocate.


The Firm
Is it as good as the novel by John Grisham? I would say it’s passable. Although I thought it unfair for Tom Cruise’s character to have his cake and eat it too. The movie would have had more impact had they stuck to the novel’s plot. It was kind of funny going after the Mafia through mail fraud.


Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within
Belatedly honoring Earth Day, I popped the disc on my player and was virtually entertained. It’s CGI at its best, thinning the line between animation and live film. Although the plot leaves much to be desired, I can deal with the fact that the Earth has a spirit and whatever action we do which destroys the Earth, destroys her spirit. Just enjoy the movie for what it is – a breakthrough in movie-making.

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My Movie Library

Kate & Leopold

I will forego all attempts to explain the logic of the movie’s plot, and concentrate instead on the actors’ portrayal of their characters. Hugh Jackman, I realized while watching this movie, is the dream man of all those romance novelists who have unknowingly fed me with idealized passion when I was younger, only to be crushed with harsh reality when I got older. Meg Ryan was still the Meg Ryan I fell in love with. I thought, though, that the chemistry between the two was not enough to cause the explosion of the laboratory…only its apparatus.

 

Sweet November

Again, I will dispense with the explanation of the logic, or lack of it, in Charlize Theron’s character. The deeper I think about it, the more I agree with Keanu Reeve’s character’s observation that this once-a-month benevolence is merely an excuse to get laid. However, I did enjoy the movie, if only because of Keanu Reeves. It’s sickening, I know; but deal with the fact that I am a fan of the stiff guy. Besides, logic set aside, I thought the movie was nice enough to get me through it. It helps that the scenic San Francisco was a sight to behold.

 

The Swan Princess

It ain’t Disney so don’t get your hopes so high on this one. Nevertheless, the kids will probably enjoy the vibrant colors. As to the story and soundtrack, the adults will appreciate them more than the kids.

 

 

 

Serendipity

This romcom is climbing the charts of my most favorite movies in the genre. John Cusack was simply adorable in this movie, evoking just the right emotion in a man torn between the woman he’s going to marry and the woman who got away. I thought he redeemed Kate Beckinsale’s rather bland portrayal of Sara. I must give special mention to Jeremy Piven – the guy is just so downright funny.

 

Catch Me If You Can

A light, breezy, and enjoyable movie of lies, truths, and an impressive ego wall. Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hanks were outstanding. The look and feel of the movie felt so 1969, it just swallowed me whole.

Serye V

February was likewise a socially busy month, starting off with a lunch out at Trellis Restaurant on the 12th. The restaurant is located along Kalayaan Avenue corner Matalino Street, Quezon City. It’s an open restaurant, with a garden right in the middle of it, so the patrons are treated to a relaxing, green atmosphere while chowing on the establishment’s scrumptious dishes.

A colleague celebrated his birthday on the 18th by treating the group to a delightful dinner at Burgoo, Tomas Morato, Quezon City.

The following day was a February celebrators’ birthday lunch at The Office…

The next birthday cum anniversary celebration was held at R Bistro Bar, along Timog Avenue, Quezon City on the 24th. It’s a nice restaurant, bathed in cool lavender, with lounge music. The food was great and the service was impeccable. What was wonderful fun was being able to sing onstage – it was really nice of Joshua, the performer for the night, to allow the group to do solo and duet numbers. That was the highlight of the night; well, for us ladies anyway. I bet the guys’ highlight was when Luningning of Wowowee came and was kind enough to pose for some pictures.

 

The end of February, the 26th, saw the group again having a lunch out at Trellis Restaurant, this time with our Prosecutor friends. Keep your friends close; keep your enemies closer (wink, wink).

 

March was not as busy, socially speaking. Two weeks into the month and I have only gone out twice – on the 3rd and the 5th.

The first  was at Shakey’s Congressional Avenue with my cousins. It was the final game between All-Filipino basketball teams, Purefoods and Alaska. We thought it would be nice to watch the game onscreen while having a dinner party. The hotdog guys won; and I had a delicious pizza and pasta meal :)

The latest was a colleague’s belated birthday celebration at Cabiserra, Congressional Avenue (where we had the group’s ‘09 Christmas Party).

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My Movie Library

The Phantom of the Opera

I loved it! It was a feast for both the ears and the eyes. Gerard Butler accomplished a difficult feat with this movie – making the Phantom look hot.

 

 

 

Bridget Jones’s Diary

While the movie did not remain loyal to the book, it was still enjoyable to watch. Colin Firth portrayed Mark Darcy brilliantly, with the right amount of snobbishness only the British can pull off. What surprised me was Hugh Grant effectively portraying the cad, Daniel Cleaver.

Bridget Jones’s Diary: The Edge of Reason

Now this second bit of the Bridget Jones series did not, at all, remain loyal to the book…well, except for Thailand and the drug-busting. It would have been heart-wrenching and heart-warming to see the love triangle among Bridget, Mark, and Rebecca. I’m not at all a fan of portraying Rebecca as a lesbian. Still an enjoyable movie, however, so I forgive those lapses.

Notting Hill

From being a cad to being such a charming, unassuming travel bookshop owner, Hugh Grant can do just about anything…except probably an action movie. This movie is one of my favorites in the romcom genre because it’s so simple and the emotions come out as so real. Julia Roberts shines in this movie and she only has to smile.

 

Mary Poppins

I grew up watching this classic film and I will let my kids watch this. I almost memorized all the songs from this film, and surprisingly, I still sing A Spoonful of Sugar whenever I feel depressed. I especially enjoyed, until now, the routine on the chimneys.

 

 

The Wizard of Oz

Another classic, The Wizard of Oz is oozing with spectacular visuals, wonderful songs, and life’s wisdom.