O is for Oscars

It’s Oscars day today and I’m so freakin’ excited! About 7 hours to go actually, but I can’t seem to prep myself up to sleep. Sleepy bug come bite me, please. And since I can’t sleep at this time of day (2:30AM Manila time), I will just post my bold predictions as to who I think/want to win this year. For the record, this year has the most exciting line up of nominated movies. I have watched, I think, six of the major ones. Five of which are nominated for the Best Picture. I have yet to watch some other ones but heck, I’ve researched enough to come up with this predictions of mine.

Taraji P. Henson (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button) for

Best Supporting Actress

Heath Ledger (The Dark Knight) for Best Supporting Actor

Mickey Rourke (The Wrestler) for Best Actor

Kate Winslet (The Reader) for Best Actress

and

for Best Picture

I hope all above mentioned will win later! Hands down to Slumdog Millionaire for Best Picture, same goes with Heath Ledger for Best Supporting Actor. And this has got to be Kate’s year, I hope the Academy won’t turn her down again. Please give her much deserved Oscar, please. Anyway, see yah at the red carpet later! haha! I can’t wait to watch it. Ayt, gotta doze off.

Out you go!

Ok, I have to admit that I like it when Simon say that to a contestant. Kind of reminds me of a college professor who said the same thing to a pasaway classmate. We all know that Simon’s comments on the show are the most awaited amongst the judges. Like, “You sounded like Mickey Mouse on helium.”, “That was a complete mess.”, “It’s like having a hamburger but only getting the bun.”, “Utterly horrendous.”, the theme park and cruise ship performance (I just forgot how he said it), and a lot more. And now, my favorite is “Out you go!”, something he says after giving the good news to a contestant (as to what I’ve observed). So it’s on a positive and lighter note. But aside from that statement, let me enumerate some OUT’s in this year’s season so far.

TOP 36′S OUT! And what a list it was. Amazing and great talent! Annoying and unforgettable contestants. I’m glad that they’ve picked and chosen deserving ones. Those who are really good in singing, and those that would really bring a big buzz like Tatiana Del Toro, Norman Mitchell and the next item I’ll discuss. Speaking of Tatiana, I kind of like her. She has a voice, actually, but she’s just annoying sometimes, specially when she laughs, shouts or cries. I was laughing my head off when Simon told her, “Tatiana, could you at least try, just for once, not to be annoying.” My early favorites are Danny Gokey, Jeremy Michael Sarver, Anoop Desai, Jasmine Murray, Megan Corkey & Arianna Afsar. I hope they’ll sail through the final 12! I’m so excited!

PACITTI’S OUT, BARTON IN. I’m sure a lot have already heard about this. Few days after she received four yes’s for Hollywood, I’ve read a news that Idol people shouldn’t have accepted Joanna in because she’s already a pro, and that she already released an album. Which makes it unfair to the amateur ones. The news also mentioned that this maybe a reason why AI’s ratings have been going down, because they are getting fake people (pointing out last season’s Carly Smithson who also released a major album prior to joining the show, but just denied it). That’s why I got surprised that she’s still included in the Top 36. But thankfully, she got disqualified. Well honestly, I didn’t liked her that much after seeing her audition. She’s good alright, but there’s something in her that hasn’t appealed to me. And after reading the news, she’s totally out of my list hehe! I hope we can also hear Simon say “Out you go!” to her hehe!

PINOYS ARE OUT, too! Sadly, we don’t have anyone to root for to represent the Filipino community on the show. Not that we’re not satisfied with Ramiele last season (well, a bit haha!), but of course it would be cool if there’s another Pinoy for us to rave about, right? There’s always next season, anyway.

Heavenly

First off, I’ve been wanting to read this book for the longest time now. Last year, or more like Christmas 2007, I had this in my wish list for our team Christmas party. I was my boss’s monito, but she told me that it’s always out of stock every time she’ll ask for it in bookstores. So instead, she gave me the money and told me to buy it myself. But since it was the holiday season, I didn’t had the time to check a nearby bookstore. Ending, goodbye P250!

And just last year, our new year GT with RX friends, I received a copy (at last!) as a present from dearest LT! She was the only one who complied with my wish list haha! But I only found time to read it over the weekend when I had a 3-day off, taking a break from watching Oscar movies left and right. And what a book it was.

Yes, I loved it more than Tuesdays With Morrie.  Not just because our dear country played a big part, but simply because I loved how the story was told. Simple yet riveting. The first chapter alone will sure to catch the reader’s interest, as it started with an ending. It would really hold your attention. It didn’t took me the whole day to finish it, actually.

The characters, mainly Eddie’s five people, were just unforgettable. I liked the blue man the most; and the story as to how their lives got related, unknowingly. It made me realize that each and every person you meet in your life, be it a complete stranger or someone you personally know, can really make a big difference. And that all of us, our lives, are connected to each other. Quite an interesting thought to ponder on, don’t you think?

And of course, Tala.  I love her! I can imagine her face from the way she was described in the book. I have to admit that her part was the one that moved me to tears. Really. I thought that this book won’t make me cry, but dang, Tala was the one to blame. And the ending of course, I was nearly sobbing reading the last page! Good thing I was able to compose myself haha!

My favorite part, aside from Tala and the ending, was when Eddie saw his dad and confronted him even if he doesn’t hear him. Then suddenly his dad sort of answered his question by saying, “It is fixed.” Wow, that gave me goosebumps all the way! Seriously.

Anyway, I am really really glad that I finally got to read this great book! This will play a special part in my heart, surely. I wonder who my five people will be/are. Not that I would want to die soon, but it is indeed something that will make you think about the life you’re living. And if someone out there, far away, who has the answers to all your questions, and will make you realize your existence and its importance.

Raving Reviews 7

The following were originally posted on my Multiply over the past week. This is probably the second part of the Oscar series on my review entries here in WordPress. I have been watching Oscar movies since last month, and all of them are really worth raving for. Three of which are Kate Winslet films; the actress I love and admire the most.

Got to watch this amazing film the other day. And I got envious. Not because I wished I was like the main character Jamal, but envious because most Asian nations have already established themselves really well in the Hollywood scene and in film making, unlike Pinoys who have yet to made a mark. But surely our time will come. Patience is a virtue, so to speak.

Anyway, back to the film. I so love it! I’d love to watch it everyday, if I can. That’s how good it is. You’ll get drawn to its entirety. Super makaka-relate ang sinumang makapanood nito. It’s like watching and seeing our very own Philippines, a mirror of itself. But in a different way. Basta, magaling ang pagkaka-gawa hehe!

I love the music, too! Astig! I love the part ung pinapatugtog ung song na may gunshots. I just forgot what the song is hehe!

People should see this. It is indeed a movie that will tell you to celebrate life; and to never get tired of waiting for love. Thumbs up for this great great film!

**********

Kate Winslet is mine forever! Wow, she’s unbelievable in this movie! I so ♥ her!

Well, it’s another sad ending (just like in Revolutionary Road), which makes it more moving, more searing. It would really grip your heart, your mind and your soul hehe! Honestly, without being biased, this is an exceptionally stupendous film all should watch.

A review pointed out that Kate Winslet and David Kross have a sizzling chemistry; and that they are bold, acute, affecting, and scaldingly honest. I’d have to agree with that 100%! You’d really feel their intensity, passion and sincerity. It’s like you’re not watching a movie at all, like they’re actual people in front of you having an argument or making love or what have you. Ralph Fiennes, on the other hand, gives an equally great performance. Superb superb acting for all these three! Hats off! And give the Oscar to Kate, please! She deserve the award for this film, no one else.

The story is a masterpiece. Wonderfully written and adapted. I can’t say enough words that would suffice how excellent this film is, I know. Just go ahead and watch it and discover it for yourselves.

**********

One thing’s for sure, Sean Penn gives another performance of a lifetime in this wonderfully made film. Been hearing a lot of good things about Milk, that’s why I got curious to see it. So when friends set up a movie night out last Friday, the vote went unanimous for Milk. Although, one contested haha!

A friend I watched with told me that the director made this movie with the big O in his head. I didn’t quite see it in that way. But yeah, it is a good one. Loved the acting, the characters, the story and how it was presented. It was just a bit predictable, I think.

But there were some boring parts, though. Well at least for me and another friend hehe! That’s why we just kid around some parts that we thought are funny. I told her that it was just a better and different version of Dekada ‘70, to which she added that it would be much better if Piolo is included hehe! That’s just us, anyway.

I didn’t know that Diego Luna is also a part of this film. That’s why I got surprised to see his name in the opening credits. Since I love the movie Y Tu Mama Tambien, I eagerly waited for his part. And what a part it was. A major one.

Let’s see how this film will do at the Oscars. I’d still go for Brad Pitt for the best actor although I haven’t seen the other films nominated for the award. I guess we just have to wait.

**********

Let me say it one more time. Kate Winslet is mine forever! I super super love her in this movie. If I’m not mistaken, she was also nominated here for Oscar Best Actress year 2006. And it was a well deserved nomination. A profoundly moving performance. Enthralling and deep.

I actually borrowed a dvd copy from a friend late last year, and only got to watch it over the weekend when I had a 3-day off. It was indeed a sexy movie, as what my friend told me. But aside from that, I loved the story and the plot. The acting of course, the characters and their struggles and issues, the story’s twists and its ending. It just goes to show that having an affair with someone can mainly affect all the people involved, leaving the two parties no choice but to go back to their own personal lives.

My most favorite part was when Sarah (Kate’s character) sneaked in one day to check out if Brad’s (Patrick Wilson) wife (played by Jennifer Connelly) is indeed a knockout beauty. And when she found out that she really is, she cried and cried inside her car. Dang, ang galing nya dun! The line I loved was during the narration. When Sarah “suddenly felt a pang of sadness..”, or something like that hehe!

I so hate Larry! He should be jailed, not the pervert. Kawawa tuloy yung mom nya. And speaking of the pervert in the story, he’s such a poor and lonely man trapped in his illness. Sobrang kawawa. I remember this one particular scene, the one I caught playing in our recreation area at work, where all the people suddenly jumped out of the pool because he’s there. When in fact, he’s not doing any harm. It’s funny, and yes stupid, when people can be so judgmental. But I’m glad in the end Larry helped Ronnie (the pervert) when he castrated himself.

Anyway, I could go on and on with this review and it will just boil down to me super loving the movie. I’d love to watch it again. Good thing Arden is still not asking for the dvd copy. If I remembered it right, it’s not his haha!

Kate Elizabeth Winslet, I ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ youuuu!!!!

The Final Set

One month to go! And it’s time again to reunite. I am so glad that finally the second part of the reunion concert is fast approaching. Been waiting for it for the longest time. Me and my friends doesn’t have tickets yet, but I am pretty sure one will provide big time! Woot! I so can’t wait! To sing along with them again, to shout at the top of my lungs, to feel that goosebumps all the way! Waaaah…

I really hope Ely will be able to finish the show this time. I heard he’s all prepared to do it again. I would still want to hear them sing and play all the songs they failed to do last August 30th of the previous year. That would be so so so cool! A friend who’s working for Raimund Marasigan told me that they are supposed to do three more sets. Anyway, I hope that friend of mine will be able to provide us tickets again haha! LT dear, please!

Tara na’t ituloy ang ligaya!