Tuesday, November 29, 2011

3 Idiots: A must watched movie.

I've written some movie reviews here in my blog before. If you'll notice, I always discuss how the special effects make the movie so thrilling that you wanted to watch it again. Most of them came from Hollywood, but how about Bollywood? I resisted the offer of my classmate to watch 3 Idiots twice. I said that Bollywood is not my cut of tea. I would rather just watch another sci-fi or fantasy. However, it's too early to judge. Don't judge the book by its cover.

3 Idiots is about three engineering students, namely Rancho, Farhan and Raju. Together, they engaged in adventurous and stupid yet humorous walks along life. They encounter joy, hatred, and all the worse. However, Rancho is always lifting their hope, giving reason to everything and that it should not obstruct or destroy them.

There are tendencies that humorous films lose the message they want to convey. 3 Idiots is different. Though funny, it is intact with values and teachings on how to never give up and just keep going.

As a graduating high school student, I learned many things from this movie. I want to share it with you in an ordered list.
1. You don't need to seek success as success will chase you. For us who are in the time of choosing which path to take, we want to choose the right and secure path. The one that will bring us to success. However, seeking success means no happy life. Live on what you want to do because if you really love your field, success will be the one to chase you.
2. True friends are true. I learned a lot from Rancho. To admit it, I want to have a friend like Rancho. A friend that never take life as a negative but always have a reason to awaken you up. Despite him being a stupid and idiot sometimes, I can say that he a very true friend to his friends.
3. Do what you want and do not let others hold the pen to write your life. As of now, you may have a career in your mind. But the question is, is it the one you truly wanted to be? Is it you passion? Rancho taught me to choose the path that I know I will be happy. The path that will not bring frustrations and regrets.

I will say that 3 Idiots is one the films that has true sense and meaning. It doesn't have perfect visual effects but it has an almost perfect moral. It may not be flawless, but 3 Idiots conveyed what it wanted to convey. It may not teach us how to behave properly but it will show you how you must handle life.

From the history of me watching movies, I never watched a film like 3 Idiots. A very inspiring and motivating film.

This is a must watched. I'm sure that you will not regret anything from watching this film. Just say to your heart "all is well"

Tell what you think if you ever happened to watch this film.

Friday, November 25, 2011

TGIF! Eating Your Time

TGIF! is a bookish meme hosted by Ginger of GReads.

When You're Not Reading: What occupies your time when your nose isn't stuck on a book?



My nose is stuck in my pillows more than my books. I admit it. That's the reality. Aside from reading, I have a lot to do - mostly school related - like budgeting club expenses, auditing, home works, experiments, notes and a lot more. Or something simply for leisure like reading political and technological news. I like messing up with the world. 
I wish to have a hammock too!
(source)

1. Most probably when I'm not reading, you can find me in my bedroom. Sleeping. With the flabbergasting school works to do, I rarely have a 8-10 hours of sleep. I ended up sleeping at some subjects in school. (the teacher won't even bother to wake me. Good teacher.)
Look at the cat! I wish I can sleep that way. Peaceful!

2. If I'm not in the mood to sleep, or drunk coffee minutes ago, I'm most probably in front of the computer and reading news article, latest happenings in technology, reading blogs - both book and non-book blogs. My most favorite non-book blog is Hip Paris. I so much like their page and it's making me want to go to Paris as soon as possible.

3. Sometimes, I'm in my second home. That's the bookstore by the way. Nothing interesting to mention. I'm just there looking at the shelves and watching out for books I want to buy.

4. Friends! Every one has friends. 5% of my time is spent with my friends. In their house or in the mall. Trippings and the like. We watch horror movies while eating bunch of foods. I can prove you that watching horror movies with friends is a complete and memorable fun.

I cannot think for a 5 so maybe that's all for now. Four things I probably would be doing when I'm not reading. And one more thing. When I'm not reading, I eat, a lot.

Sunday, November 20, 2011

Stardust (2007): The fastest way to travel is by candle.

What is it with immortality? It's not just in fiction like Voldermort but also in real life. Is a never-ending life is something worth living for? Yesterday I just watched the film adaption of Stardust by Neil Gaiman and I would like to say that I really illy love the story. However, nothing is perfect or was made perfectly.

Stardust (2007)
directed by: Matthew Vaughn 
adaption of Stardust by Neil Gaiman

First of all, I haven't yet read the book so my views and opinions is solely based on the movie.

In the village of Wall, as named after a nearby stonewall, Dustan Thorne foolishly tricked the wall guard and crosses the border despite the guard's warning. He then came into another world where she met a girl. Eight months after, a baby was delivered by the guard to the house of Dustan. He's name is Tristan. Eighteen years after, to win Victoria's hand for marriage, Tristan crosses the wall to find a fallen star using a Babylon candle given to him by his mother. However, he ended in an unexpected adventure and soon, romance.

The only book from Neil Gaiman that I have read was the Graveyard Book which I super like. The main reason I think is the lightness of the story yet has a very heavy meaning and lesson to be told. The same with Stardust. I like the world of Stormhold. Though it does not have mythical or inhuman creatures, Stormhold was magical. For example is the three sister witches which I think was an allusion to the Grey Sisters. (the three witches with one eye.)

Again, the story was very light. It was not complicated that's why we can easily join into their world. Every concept is magical itself. Babylon candles, voodoo dolls, witches, stars, kingship, and romance - all in one.

If we were to talk about the characters, I think the cast has some trouble expressing what expression they should be expressing. I like the medieval ideas of the gentlemen over the ladies, their customs and the like. But when it comes to expression, the cast seems to be troubled. There were times when the scenes was supposed to be serious, like swordplay, but Tristan looked like he was about to burst into laughter because of the expression of his partner.

But when it comes to the character itself, disregarding the actors and actresses, I would say that they developed through the time frame of the story. Tristan, living in a folly of infatuation to Victoria, learned to contrast infatuation and love. He saw who he truly should love. Yvaine, the fallen star, on other hand, did not developed so much but she was vital to Tristan development. She, herself, developed to become more human that a star.

A while ago I mentioned about meanings and lessons to be told. One issue that was discussed throughout the book was immortality. It is not just an issue with works of fiction but also in our real life. We all have an expiration date (death). Some of us when asked about death, they will say "I'm ready to die." or "I'm not afraid of death." Other will complain why there is such thing as death. If you come to realize, one day of no internet, no books, no money is boring. Then multiply those days to eternity. Immortality is boring. You will die of boredom but since you are immortal, undead better suits you. As one quotation always say, "Too much is bad." We should accept that will end someday. Just hope that you are happy that day.

Rating: 4/5

Friday, November 11, 2011

TGIF! Love Them or Hate Them

TGIF is a bookish meme hosted by Ginger from GReads!
Love-Hate Relationships: Which characters from a book do you love to hate?



Love to hate! We all know that there are characters that annoy us while reading. I have too. First, I want to excuse myself to readers who will read this. You might love a character that I hate. 

Bella Swan of the Twilight Saga

One reason why I hate her is because she always put herself in danger, for her can't-resist'boyfriend Edward can come and rescue her. Sometimes, she knew something bad will happen but still she will pretend that it's nothing and continue. She pretends to be a strong person but Meyer wrote her to be weak. I do not mean that characters have no right to be strong. It's just like it doesn't suit her personality written on every book page.


Tantalus of The Sea of Monsters

I love Chiron and I love him to be the head of the demigod camp. However, this gross character, who was cursed to not to be able to eat, replaced him in place. The camp lost its backbone. Rules were not followed and the bad was favored. I just simply hated him.



Nathan Noal of Lola and the Boy Next Door

There's nothing wrong of being a strict parent. However, Nolan, for me, was far more than just strict. He cannot control his temper. He sometimes divert his anger from Nora to Lola. It's just so annoying.


Griphook of the Harry Potter series

This foolish dwarf always think only for himself. He doesn't care if the people that might save the wizarding world will die as long as he has what he wants.


Meridith of Anna and the French Kiss

*spoilers* I like her at first part of the book. She's very supportive for Anna. She's actually the one that offered Anna to join their circle of friends. However, at the end part of the book, it turns out that she's in love with Etienne and got angry with Anna. She's already on the wrong stand still she act as if she is the victim. But I do realize that her reactions are like a real human. 


LOVED VILLAINS
To maximize the opportunity of this post, I would like to name some villains that I love. Villains deserved to be loved too!
1. Lord Voldermort (I really don't know why)
2. Hades (all Hades of different literary works, especially Clash of the Titans)
3. President Snow (I love his calm spiking words)
4. Bellatrix Lestrange (Because she love the Dark Lord)
5. John Dee (I love how he does everything to obstruct Nicholas)



**Links to my reviews of the books/movies related in this post.


Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Teaser Tuesdays: Blackbringer (Dreamdark #1)

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB ofShould Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
  • Grab your current read
  • Open to a random page
  • Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
  • BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
  • Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

"'Pie!" squawked Calypso. "Pie, darlin', what is it?"
Her fingers were still tingling from the jolt. She said,
"Darkness."

Dreamdark: Blackbringer
by Laini Taylor

My copy is a second hand and I have no idea what it is about when I bought it at a bargain bookstore. Now, my money worth it. The story is very hooking and at the very first chapter, I was bombarded by so many questions that urge me to read more. This book is simply great! 

Sunday, November 6, 2011

In My Mailbox -11-

In  My Mailbox is hosted by Kristi of The Story Siren

It was not in my plan to buy another book this week. I still have 2 or 3 unread books in my shelf and I'm currently reading Blackbringer. Here is what actually happen. My ID case broke last week and I need a replacement as soon as possible because I will not be able to enter English proficiency class if I don't have an ID. I just knew that the case can be bought at National Bookstore near us so I planned to have a visit. The plan was very simple. Go inside the bookstore, find the case, pay and go. But, as usual, it was not followed. Before I can go to the shelves of supplies, I need to pass the book shelves. And these books, using their invisible elastic hands, grab and never let go of me. I spent like about 2 hours on one shelf. AND SO I go out of the bookstore with a book and an ID case. 

I bought...

The Divine Comedy: Inferno
bu Dante Alighieri
Translated to verse by Allen Mandelbaum

I'm not so much into translation but I don't want to read the original stanza-style of this book. 


We recently discussed this classic book in our English proficiency class. And guest what, my seatmate and I were discussing about how about if the book was put in to a motion picture. We think that would be great! Honestly, I'm very excited to read this. I think the book has a very compelling plot and it's a classic of Italy! 

I'll read this after Blackbringer and you can expect a review in the near future. Oh my lord, I'm going to review a highly praised, world acclaimed, Italian classic! 


Friday, November 4, 2011

Once Upon a Time ... all characters live in the Enchanted Forest

It's late in the evening and I'm randomly checking other blogs to find something interesting to read. I'm now in a condition of wanting so many books. Sigh. Too bad I can't help it. Too much for drama. I'm writing this post to share my thoughts regarding to this...


Oh yes! As you might see, that's the picture of the latest Once Upon A Time TV series aired every Sunday in ____ channel (Uhm, I really don't know). One word to describe my relationship with it: hooked.

Once Upon a Time revolves around the story of the characters in a book under a dark curse that unable them to remember their true identity. It was cast upon by the Evil Queen who selfishly want all happy endings to be hers and only hers. But the curse includes her so she can’t remember that she’s the Evil Queen. Their only chance to happy ending is Snow White’s daughter, Emma Swan. Whom I think will free them from the curse? I really don’t know.

For me, this TV series is a win! I never got hooked on such TV series, not to mention Glee, The Vampire Diaries and so much more. But this, together with Grimm, pulled the fanboy-me out of my body. I so much love the second episode, the good and the bad are really in a tight fight. I have this feeling that the real antagonist is not the Evil Queen but Rumpelstiltskin whom I think survive the memory-loss-side of the curse. Oops, is that spoiling?

When watching it, I have this little challenge for myself to remember every character in the series and from what story they did appear. I’m not familiar with the other characters (too bad). One more thing, they have powers! Magical powers! If you’re like a fantasy fanboy like me, you’ll love magical powers. No? But it’s so cool.

Together with Grimm, oh dude, I think the new trend is to include fairytale characters in TV series. They are so much hooking and very fun to watch.

I’ll update you when this series is done.

BTW: I didn’t post anything for the past few weeks because I’m reading a novel that I need for my school. We’re doing a book report for it. Oh man, this book is terrible. Every time I read it, guess what, I fell asleep.

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