Let's live our lives, ranting.

Practical Magic
Charlize Theron was no match for Harry Potter, as the boy wizard easily topped Aeon Flux to rule the box office for the third week in a row.

Still, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire took a major post-Thanksgiving hit, plummeting 63 percent to $20.5 million, according to studio estimates, bringing its total to $229.8 million. In a few days it'll surpass War of the Worlds ($234.3 million) to become the No. 2 film of 2005 (behind, of course, Star Wars: Episode III — Revenge of the Sith).
Hot Spell
Dave Karger's only-online report for Thanksgiving weekend: ''Goblet of Fire'' raked in more than $200 million, in only 10 days.
How badly did Harry Potter demolish the competition at the box office this weekend? Well, if you add up the grosses of all five of the Thanksgiving holiday's new wide releases, they still don't match the boy wizard.

Powering through the five-day holiday span, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire earned another $82.6 million, according to studio estimates, bringing its 10-day total to a phenomenal $201.1 million. That makes Goblet the fourth-fastest movie to cross the $200 million mark, behind the two Spider-Man films and Star Wars: Episode III -- Revenge of the Sith. By comparison, the other three Harry Potter films took between 15 and 21 days to reach that benchmark.
On 'Fire'
Dave Karger's online-only weekend wrapup: ''Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire'' sees the biggest opening of the series.

o much for that audience-limiting PG-13 rating: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire cast a phenomenal spell at the box office this weekend, grossing a phenomenal $101.4 million, according to studio estimates.

That's the biggest box office take for any Potter film (last year's Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban opened with $93.7 million) and the fourth-biggest opening weekend ever, behind Spider-Man, Star Wars: Episode III — Revenge of the Sith, and Shrek 2. Parents obviously had no problems taking children of all ages to the film, despite its darker tone and PG-13 rating (the first three Potter movies were rated PG).
I'm so much absorbed into 'news' (of all kinds) this evening, for I have to read and memorize and internalize a lot of things by later this morning. Pardon me if my next posts are not my original work-and about Harry Potter's activities.

2006-01-04T02:55:00.000-08:00

Great Directors!
(previous post)
Guess Who?

(Thanks to Gettyimages.com)

2006-01-04T02:44:00.000-08:00

Guess Who?: A Game for Certified Movie Buffs Only

2006-01-03T00:20:00.000-08:00

2006-01-03T00:03:00.000-08:00

Resolutions
I was supposed to post this 2 days ago, and now I'm cramming for tomorrow's start-of-the-year-classes. I particularly does not prefer in making resolutions because I only end up just staring at them. Honestly speaking. Though I'm trying to make a possible, doable and achievable list this year, I won't make promises.
2005 was the year of Great Disasters, shaking the world's inner foundation. It was the year when Katie Holmes chose to give up her precious career, the final chapter of the Star Wars saga came and Michael Jackson was somehow proven not guilty of his molestions.
In the Philippines though, we had the successful 23rd SEAG, topping 11 countries with 219 overall medal tally. And yes, 2005 was the year when everyone had the "Hello Garci" ringtone in their mobile phones.
Every year, I usually tell myself to do something different. And as I was inspired by what Jessica Zafra mentioned in one of her books, I wanted to learn a new language this year-through the use of DVDs. I'm currently obsessed with films, trying to turn myself into a major movie buff. (And for the information of some, I'm really trying to memorize Willy Wonka's lines in Charlie. And the way he laughs.)
I think the Oscars will be some time on March-also the rumored month wherein the Goblet of Fire DVD will be released.
Speaking of Harry Potter, fellow fans, keep our eyes open for updates on who will be Luna Lovegood on the 5th installment. I'm crossing my fingers. (Potter still clings on the 9th spot in the Top Box Office list; Narnia topples Kong.)
1. Memorize movie lines.Specifically, Harry Potter movie lines.
I'm on my way, finishing Prisoner of Azkaban and Goblet of Fire will start perhaps on March-when the DVD's out.
I can say I have a passion for learning the perfect way to the British accent and I envy Keira Knightley. I need more improvisations my mum says but I'm on my way of becoming a great dubber. I can make and copy voices butmy field of expertise is that of actors and actresses. (Cool, eh?)
But I will proudly say that I cannot sing. Yes, enough said.
2. Write a letter to my movie idols.
I've been dying to do this last summer but I kept on throwing my pen and rant that I do not have the right grammar and vocabulary. I'm afraid that my letter will come back to me with lots of red circles like a flunked test paper. Hey, any grammar freaks out there? I need help. And patience.
I've read a lot of How-To-Write-A-Fan-Letter tips but I still don't know where to start. I don't know if I'll say that 'You're the handsomest bloke I've ever had fantasies with," or "I really want to marry you," and if they will be offended. Here goes my paranoia again. Perfection too, not to mention.
3. Decrease the habit of being lazy.
Or whatever that was suppose to mean. Stop being lazy or freeze it for a moment. Until summer. I haven't got a lot of achievements for the past 2 weeks, and I hate it. Stop being a crammer. Or at least, improve to be a nerd.
I'm born to be a fat girl. But I don't want it to be like forever. Someday you'll see. You'll see me in the cover of Vogue.
4. Learn a new language.
Ah, yes. As I've mentioned earlier, i'll try to do this through DVD translations. Read Tw7sted for the complete info.
I've always wanted to be a useful organism. I'm an epitome of a useless, ugly git.I wanted to be a commercial model for fast-food chains. (specifically, KFC.)
5. Improve grammar and vocabulary.
This is perhaps the one which will take the longest of time and focus. Argghh..help me. Where's Doreamon?
But one good thing about it is that I make it to the point that I learn one word a day. Today I had voyeurism.
6. Not to be a self-proclaimed over-critical.
I admit it, I am, especially when it comes to films. I'm not a professional movie critic, but I'm on my way. (laughs) Pardon for some unwanted reviews on my past articles, honestly, I say Star Wars III was boring but I had just watched all six of it the past week and I'm currently dying for a light saber.
Yes, yes, Munich will be good! But if I'm not mistaken it debuted at no.10. Am I right?
7. Continue Rizal's El Filibusterismo.
This is doable! Within 10 years, I estimate. Yes, a real sequel. Ibong Mandaragit is not really a sequel it's only 1% connected. I will dedicate this to my school-mother, who got a perfect score in our book's exams. And to all Filipinos of course.
For more resolutions, wait for my next update.

2005-12-25T22:16:00.000-08:00

Last-Minute Chritsmas Shopping-Experience of Hell

Honestly, I can't think of any interesting title to this late article. But I have a lot of stories too share. A little bit of everything. Christmas shopping, our movie marathon, the 2005 MMFF entries, sweets, my singing voice and some 2005 year-ender lists.

I never wanted to go shopping during December. And I don't want to shop. Recently I heard that being a shopaholic-not to offend some-is some kind of sickness. Anyway, aside from smelling all the combined smells of different deodorants and perfumes, I might faint. I'm afraid from thieves that might get my only private notebook and my purse that usually contains my fare to go back home. Did I mention earlier that I'm a paranoid? Usually when I go to the malls, my parents have no idea. I'm afraid my mum will see me and slap my face in front of the saleslady in the Department Stores. I also loathe those people who are born to be a professional bum. They are those obnoxious people who just sit and stare and walk and look and sit and stare and walk and look etc. Though seeing them gives me a measure of joy, that I'm not the poorest person on earth. Bump into them and sway your shopping bags on their legs is a fitting vengeance.

Moving on, last December 23-the day I was suppose to post this column-I had a movie marathon for a couple of hours. After a decade of exile from our local video store, my family have manage to pay all our debts. We borrowed Star Wars Episode III: The Revenge of The Sith, War of The Worlds, Batman Begins, Bewitched and Kingdom of Heaven. And my reviews follow.

Star Wars was boring. All you can hear was the sickening sound of their lightsabers. As for the inaudible dialogues, that didn't came a shock to me as they were usually like that. Though I can say that Hayden's performance was convincing, Natalie Portman fits to be a Queen. Where's the punchlines? I heard some attempts of Mr. Ewan though I didn't even bulge. Overall, not bad. By the way, it was rated by the critics of Yahoo! movies B+.

War of The Worlds was way too booooring. I cannot comprehend the dialogues even though my ears only 1 mm away from the loud speaker. Though I have no problem on the sci-fi effects, the acting was a bit horrible. Dakota, as usual was leading and so do as Justin. As for Tom, no comment. All I can hear is some goddamn, goddamn fucking life. Rated B. By the way, I thought America was the only country in the world when I watched this film.

When I saw Katie Holmes on-screen, all I can say is tsk, tsk, tsk. Poor woman. She's beautiful. Enough for the review, they said this was the best Batman adaptation with a B+ rating.

I never watched the original series of Bewitched and my mum and dad was the ones responsible why we borrowed the cd. Was it too horrible? Why a C?

The best of all-Kingdom of Heaven. I don't know why only a B, but for me it's real. Mr. Ridley Scott's a real person. I love the way he actually direct very brutal wars. Compared to Troy, the sex scene was more wholesome. Anyway, is Brendan Gleeson the fat man with curly hair in the prison? I never saw his real face because for me he debuted in Goblet of Fire. I haven't saw The Village yet and I also don't know where he was on Troy.

Every year since 2003, the MMFF entries are getting better. Exodus seems intersting. Mulawin is way too corny-though I approve of the soundtrack. Ako Legal Wife features a varitey of big breasts almost-exposure. Enteng Kabisote has a lot of promotions-in Eat Bulga alone, they were singing the title every 5 seconds. Kutob seems like a suspense thriller while Shake Rattle and Roll just want to bag the Best Make-Up award. As for the others, I have no idea. I didn't even see a commercial on TV.

I'm loving the show Queer Eye for the Straight on ETC. I'm not a lesbian, though. The gay, handsome men is so adorable.

I almost fell to Hell from laughing so hard when I watched Sunsilk Touch flicks on Channel 7. Cooorny to the bones.

I've been exercising my eyes lately, playing The Sims 2 for 7 hours straight and watching movies and a lot of TV programs. I even finished the Pontiff's First Christmas Message.

I've also been eating lots of sweets of different types and kinds. I think I've eaten a junk food with a milk-filling of 5 kinds. Choconuts of almost 6 types. And I'm so full. I think I gained a thousand pounds.

I've contemplated and concluded that my voice's not really bad at all. During our housing christmas party, the resident gays' (I'm one of them) tasked to sing. And all i can do is lipsync their soft voices. Yes, very soft voices. My voice some kind of harsh and man-like but I can dubb all kinds of voices. I cannot sing well but I can dubb. Better. More versatile-not to mention, unique.

For the last paragraph, I'll credit IMDB here. This is their STARmeter Top 25 Celebrites of 2005.

25. Keanu Reeves. Constantine. I love the video game!
24. Tom Hanks. The Da Vinci Code. Aargghh...I want Russell Crowe!
23. Kristen Dunst. Elizabethtown. Hmm..
22. Eva Longoria. Desperate Housewives. Not much.
21. Robert De Niro. Meet the Fockers. Hilarious.
20. Vin Diesel. The Pacifier. Hahaha!
19. John Header. Napoleon Dynamite. Rock on!
18. Daniel Radcliffe. Goblet of Fire. Best performance yet.
17. Rachel McAdams. The Family Stone. She's beautiful.
16. Nicole Kidman. Bewitched. Sad. Soo sad..
15. Emma Watson. Goblet of Fire. Remarkable!
14. Christian Bale. Batman Begins. Worth it.
13. Scarlett Johansson. The Island. Amazing.
12. Jennifer Aniston. Rumor Has It. Too much of the break-up.
11. Orlando Bloom. Kingdom of Heaven. Brilliant!
10. Hilary Duff. The Perfect Man. What's her current weight?
9. Natalie Portman. Revenge of the Sith. Beauutiful.
8. Keira Knightley. Domino. I love British!
7. Tom Cruise. War of The Worlds. Still, no comment.
6. Jessica Alba. Fantastic Four. Too sexy.
5. Paris Hilton. House of Wax. What??
4. Lindsay Lohan. Herbie: Fully Loaded. So what??
3. Brad Pitt. Mr. and Mrs. Smith. Too happy from the break-up.
2. Angelina Jolie. Mr. and Mrs. Smith. Are they married?
1. Johnny Depp. Charlie and The Chocolate Factory. Superb!

Goodbye. Have a Prosperous New Year.

2005-12-20T00:56:00.000-08:00

Several Thoughts on Random Topics I
Jessica Zafra
She's my current inspiration-the very reason why i forced myself to write these past few days. Currently, I'm reading Tw7sted-the 7th book in her Twisted series. I've just finished Womenagerie lateley. Honestly, i envy her just because she has everything I lack-particularly her remarkable writing ability. Now I really want to believe the fact that you should have a wide range of vocabulary to write excellent. I'm doomed. Anyway, if someone happen to know Jessica Zafra's mailing address/email address, please contact me immediately. (my email address' on the side bar) I really want to tell her how I worship her.
Playing cards
Our classroom's a certified casino. And it's amazing that almost everyone knows how to play poker. The universal hobby. For more information about playing cards, follow my next articles or type playing cards in the Users' search in Friendster.
Dictionary
4 words: Start to memorize it. Or I have to hire a walking human dictionary someday.
AlgebraSomething you need to know to make planes that fly and to make instant noodles fried. (Not sure about the latter though.)
Platonic relationships
I'm the biggest fan! And I want to go back in time and ask Plato why this kind of relationship usually doesn't work-the most annoying thing.
Albert Einstein
"Only two things are infinite-the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the universe."
Brownies
I just want to share that I've eaten an assorted number-today alone. Around 15 of them. Envious yet?
Black Hole High
I want to see Michael Seater again. Again, anyone who happen to know his TV schedules, please inform me.
Telephone bills and internet cards
The 2 things in the world that makes my life miserable.
Unlimited text messages
I have to admit, this is my current obsession.
Chess
One of the only two sports I'm into-the other one is badminton. I can say I play beyond normal meaning, I can actually (if given a chance) beat Kasparov himself.
Pirated things
My personal belongings are mostly of this kind. Should I feel proud? Or embarrassed?
Movie Buffs
I envy them. Why can't I have at least a hundred bucks a day for a film? It's really difficult to be one especially if you're undergoing a terrible financial crisis.
Socks
In my so-far-lifetime, I only had socks of 2 colors: black and white. I want to meet someone who's willing to give me a new pair of different color everyday.
Clocks and watches
Time is gold-but time's not the main topic so let's get away from it for a moment; it's the clocks and watches. They have their own fashion. But what about my allergy?
Music
Up to now, I still don't know what's the right way to answer in the Favorite Music part of an autograph book. I always write the names of my favorite artists or when I was a lot younger, I put music genres. Whatever.
Pink
During my prehistoric life, I loathed everything that's dominated by the color pink-my least favorite. But now I can say I've matured enough and considered the color just my second least favorite.
Fire and Smoke
Could there be a fire without a smoke coming out of it? Or vice versa? Smoke emmerges from a fire, my mum said. Of course. How stupid of me to attempt. (But hey, there's the electric stoves!)
Notebooks
I love buying notebooks for display. I don't know exactly what to write on them so it ends up in my closet-for ages.
Christmas songs
5 days before Christmas and I think I can now sing Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer without the slightest mistake-with varying tone, dynamics and voices, of course.
Fame or Money
If a genie came to visit you and ask what will you choose between the two-and it's choose or nothing-will you still choose? (Or you'll scare him to cut his head if he'll not grant both?)
Combs
A useful piece of information for those who want to blackmail me: I only comb my hair-at most-twice a day. ("Hey look at her hair! It's like Twilda Swinton's crown only it does not need arranging-because it does itself!")
Printer Ink
The last thing I need to consider my personal computer's still serviceable. My last resort.
Treats
The kindest way to say to tell your fellows, "I know you don't have money today," Lovely.
Seafood
I'm allergic. With the exception of fishes. So it means that i just got 10% addition to my fatty stomach inn.
Cotton buds
I know it's horrible to use them everyday, but I can't help it. But don't end up believing logical fallacies-specifically, sweeping generalizations.
Trash cans
I think I'm going to be the Lady of the Flies, just in case. For those who've watch the film (hey there, fellow classmates!) you know how. Just the modern type.
Monkey Business
Dear Santa, if you happen to pass by this blog-and this message, PLEASE GIVE ME A COPY OF THIS CD for my Christmas present this year. Please?
Orange
Not the color, it's the name of my cat. My adopted cat. She's adorable, even though she's already 2 years of cat age.

Done. 29 topics. Too tired to type for the 30th.

2005-12-17T21:23:00.000-08:00

Harry Potter, Narnia and some Monkey Business with Count Olaf

For some unexplainable reasons, I found myself in front of the television, playing my favorite [DVD] movies every hour. It was with some apprehension-and the overwhelming urge to bump my head into the wall-when I watched four films in 10 straight hours. I've really wanted to watch every film-made-by-noted-directors this year and those kind vendors on the streets of Quezon City made my wish come true. [With our current financial crises that hit me so badly, I have to bite some good baits.]

I'll be a bias git for the moment and I'll start off with my favorite series. The fourth installment of the Harry Potter series was so dramatic, I cried an ocean of tears, (talk about being dramatic myself) and as a result, Mike Newell has been a godlike figure to me these past few weeks. For those of you who won't agree with me, there could only be 3 reasons: a) you haven't watched the film, b) you're not a BIG HP fan and c) you don't know what the word director means.

Moving on to the highlights, I would just like to appreciate certain characters on the film. Take for instance, Ron's undying love for Krum that made me think that there could be 2 reasons why he portrayed his role with such jealousy-he loves Krum so much that he couldn't take the fact that Hermione's falling for him and vice versa. Such a complicated feeling that Rupert Grint played with so much passion. [Viktor, I love you, Viktor, I do, when we're apart my heart beats only for you..] I also like the fact that Hufflepuff is the House of the Installment, with handsome Robert Pattinson (hyperventilate, hyperventilate) playing the role of one of my favorite characters. Then, some amazing portrayals of more characters: 1)Ernie Macmillian- if you have set your eyes on Cedric Diggory from the beginning of the film, you'll have to notice this hot dude. He was Cedric's seatmate when his name was called from the Goblet of Fire-and his (Ernie's) facial expressions were awesome. 2) Minerva McGonagall- the way she spoke her lines in this film's really hilarious. I'm just irritated by the fact that when I tried to copy her manner, I just can't.! 3) Igor Karkaroff- 5 words: I love the Bulgarian accent. 4) Barty Crouch Sr. and Barty Crouch Jr.- for the father, I adore the way he spoke his lines; for the son, he's too handsome for the role. [Evil's beautiful-especially for men.] 5) Rita Skeeter- same as Barty Sr., the manner of speaking. Not to mention the make-up and the stylish clothes. 6) Argus Filch- "He's so accelerated.." The dance with Mrs. Norris is one of my bets for the Best Dancing Duo. 7) Nigel- he's the cute boy who err- likes Harry and Harry's autograph. Honestly, my classmates and I thought he's a homosexual. But I'm not so rude to tell you that straight to the point. 8) Draco Malfoy- he's the hottest ferret-I mean, guy-throughout the film! But where's Pansy? 9) Moaning Myrtle- 3 words: [An] erotically-charged phantom and 10) Harry Potter- of course, who will forget our Boy Wonder? In this installment, he played an effortless though broken-hearted hero who attracted people of all ages. Best performance by Daniel Radcliffe so far.

After the long, boring paragraph that manifested my obsession, I'll just present some of my favorite dialogues/lines from the film. [Sadly, not 100% accurate-95% will do.] Here goes:
Harry: You're a right, foul git, you know that?
Ron: You think so?
Harry: I know so.
Ron: Anything else?
Harry: Yeah, stay away from me.
Ron: Fine.
McGonagall: ..by behaving like babbling bumbling band of baboons.
Fred: Try to say that five times faster. Babblingbumblingbandofbaboons.
Ron: What are those? What are those?
Harry: My dress robes.
Ron: But they're alright. No lace, no bloody collar.
Harry: But I bet yours are traditional.
Ron: Traditional? They're ancient. Looks like it's from my great old dissy.
The way Katie Leung a.k.a. Cho Chang said “Yes?” when Harry called her. (very FUNNY indeed)
Ron: He's more than an athlete, he's an artist.
Ginny: Think you're in love Ron.
Ron: I guess so.
Fred: Viktor, I love you..
George: Viktor, I do..
Fred, George and Harry: When we're apart, my heart beats only for you..
Harry: Why do they have to travel in packs? How are we supposed to ask them?
Ron: Common Harry. You've slain a dragon, you can get a date, you can.
Harry: I think I'll take the dragon right now.

Before I could rant some more about Potter, let's move on to my neXt feature film. (in this column) The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe-and I'm a bit proud to say that I've watched the film just days late when the international world did. (of course, the pirated copy featured the American people in the theaters; I can say my 50 bucks worth it.)

To start it, I have this theory that when a trailer of a certain movie is as grand as the best, the film is a must-see one of a kind. And I knew-when I saw Narnia's teaser trailer-that this one will be exquisite. Until now, I'm still fighting off the creeps that I usually feel when I hear the film's score. [Though recently, I'm proud to say that I've improved from the scary hair-raised, bulging-eyed creature to the normal jaw-dropped, shocked organism.)

Moving on, I would just like to pinpoint Georgia Henley's remarkable performance. She's starting off like the great Dakota Fanning; a too-mature-for-her-role kind of acting, which was really superb. Anna Popplewell on the other hand, didn't perform her best, in my humble opinion, though she's also convincing in a way. William Moseley played the humor-oriented big brother of the siblings. Honestly, after seeing him and Anna, I started looking for some sibling-love scenes. Skandar finally, is handsome. (Again, evil's really beautiful for men, specifically the physical features.)

Aslan's adorable! Ms. Swinton's performance was the best of all; she really convinced me that the White Witch's really evil and beautiful. I can also say that no other film can beat this one for make-up, effects and score. (even Kong)

Then I could now go on and eat some bananas, even though Kong himself didn't in the film. The film is the greatest of the year and ended the films' year right. Besides from being a Peter Jackson flick, the all-star cast and the superb acting adds up to it. It's thrilling and this is the first film I've watched that really brought me to the edge of my seat. Exciting, full of suspense and otherwordsofpraisetoinserthere.

Peter Jackson, be my daddy! I'll kiss your toes!

I really appreciate King Kong and if I'll write more about it, I'll just spill spoilers and write more flowery words of worship. Also, it will take up more space in my near-to-end article. The neXt one is another movie adaptation of another series by another famous author. It was shown last year of February, entitled Lemony Snicket. I don't have that specific favorite scene; it could be Liam Aiken's handsome features exposures, the tense scenes of sibling-love of Violet and Klaus or Count Olaf's way of saying the word surprise. (Supriss, he says)

The adaptation's great and as far as I'm concerned, the film garnered awards. but recently, I heard that they might not continue the 13-part series on film. (Snicket fans, scream with me: @#$%&*!!)

I know I'm still unsuccessful making this article not-90%-Potter, but I can't help it. At least, I'm not a pure bias git.