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A few thoughts on The Hunger Games movie

Sat, 24 Mar 2012 21:34:00 +0800

“Hope… it is the only thing stronger than fear.”

-President Snow

4.5 out of 5 stars

Amidst all its hype, The Hunger Games gloriously comes out as a great adaptation and a competent sci-fi thriller. From its opening scenes in District 12 (which has some kind of Winter’s Bone vibe to it) to the Capitol and arena scenes, it effectively depicts the tragic and brutal nature of its story without celebrating these very themes. It is a good reflection of a possible future for humanity which leads you to stop and think for a second and examine yourself and the society we live in today.

The movie’s brisk pace makes it an enthralling and exhilarating experience. The arena scenes provide great suspense. The palpable terror and danger in the chase sequences really got my heart pumping and my pulse racing. Also, the movie delivers first-rate drama. The most heart-wrenching part for me is the Reaping scene where Katniss volunteers herself in place of her younger sister Prim. It is the dire nature of their circumstance combined with great acting from both Jennifer Lawrence and Willow Shields that got my tear ducts going.

I haven’t seen a single Gary Ross film before but by this film alone, it is undeniable that he’s an able director. His vision for the movie is such that he didn’t allow himself to be restricted of some sort to making a Hollywood blockbuster. He had a certain vision that provided the movie not just box office success but also critical success. As a fan of the book, I am fully satisfied with how it was translated to film. The movie is indeed faithful to its source material. There are a few changes but they are mostly minor and does not affect the flow of the story as a whole.

Of course, the movie can only do so much without a lead actor as powerful and naturally gifted as Jennifer Lawrence, who so successfully gave every scene she is in the heart and emotion it required to make it believable. She embodies Katniss in every aspect and I can’t give enough high praise for her performance. Josh Hutcherson also gave a commendable performance. His off-cam personality and that of the character he’s playing is so similar that he didn’t seem to have a difficult time portraying it. He and Jennifer have meshed well in a certain way off-screen that beautifully translates on-screen. If I had to nitpick, it would be just that Josh is obviously shorter than Jennifer. But it’s so minute and trivial and doesn’t really affect anything for me.

I couldn’t be happier with how this movie turned out. They didn’t ruin anything for me so they pretty much did a good job. It says a lot about a film if the only complaints you have are the screaming girls in the theatre and the fact that the cinema didn’t show any trailers prior to the movie. The odds are in our favor.

What's your favorite running track(s)?

Sat, 25 Feb 2012 21:37:00 +0800

This morning, my sister and I went for a run. We rarely get to do this lately due to ~~our hectic schedules~~ sheer laziness (this is probably our greatest obstacle from having a body as bootylicious as that of the girl pictured on the right). Try as I might to become one, I am NOT a morning person and these morning runs entail a lot of effort on our part. Yes, my sister is not a morning person, too. Well, more like “not a day person”. She practically sleeps all day. No, I’m just exaggerating. She sleeps until noon. Anyway, I was excited to run this morning because I have updated my tired old running playlist to include some new favorite tracks to invigorate me.

So, with great ordeal, we got our butts out of bed at around 5AM and did a bit of freshening up. When we got to the venue (we usually jog at Abellana Sports Complex), to my great dismay there was an on-going Taebo session and the loudspeakers were blasting! OMG! It was so loud I can barely hear the music coming from my earphones! My new adrenaline-pumping playlist was kaput! I had to settle with the 80’s disco music they usually use in their Taebo sessions, the same set of songs that they seem to have been using since forever. They need to revamp their playlist for crying out loud! Well, so much for getting pumped up. Here’s hoping there’ll be no Taebo session the next time I go for a run there.

Just in case you’re interested, here’s a list of the new tracks I added to my running playlist (they’re not technically new):

Levels - Avicii
Feel So Close - Calvin Harris
Stay Awake - Example
Changed The Way You Kiss Me - Example
Midnight Run - Example
Earthquake - Labrinth ft. Tinie Tempah
Get Out Of My Head - Redlight
Breakin’ A Sweat - Skrillex & The Doors
Antidote - Swedish House Mafia vs Knife Party
T.H.E. (The Hardest Ever) - Will.i.am ft. Mick Jagger & Jennifer Lopez

These club/dance tracks really pump me up so I highly recommend them.

So, what’s your favorite running track(s)?

Movie Soundtracks: My 2011 Picks

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 01:26:00 +0800

I can’t remember when I started being particularly keen about a movie’s soundtrack. All I know is music has always been a great factor for me in pretty much anything. In the past, I remember taking a liking to the soundtrack/score of such movies as Romeo+Juliet, Juno, Atonement, Once, 500 Days of Summerand The Social Network, to name a few. Below are my favorites from 2011, in no particular order.

Bridesmaids (Various Artists)

Comedies are generally associated with the same upbeat, fun soundtrack and the usual overused mainstream hits, but Bridesmaids is not your ordinary comedy and it certainly does not have the typical soundtrack for such type of movie. The fun factor is there but the songs are meticulously chosen (not the usual mainstream crap). It includes songs by Blondie, Fiona Apple, Kate Nash and, well, Britney Spears (but not one of her popular songs, mind you). If not for this movie, I wouldn’t have been introduced to the Wilson Phillips song Hold On which was prominently and hilariously used in the movie and has become sort of a personal anthem. It’s just the best background music for a group of ladies’ wedding shenanigans.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross)

The uber extensive soundtrack to The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross effectively sets the dark, mysterious and ominous atmosphere of the movie. The opening title sequence features the cover version of Led Zeppelin’s Immigrant Song with Yeah Yeah Yeah’s Karen O on vocals. There’s no other vocalist out there that could have given the song a refreshing new sound as O did. I mean, the song’s distinctive wailing cry is just right there in O’s forte. It’s an impeccable song choice that matches the tone of the movie to a T. Apart from the first and last tracks which have vocals, the rest of the soundtrack consists mainly of pianos, keyboards, percussions, drones, etc. that renders it not very listenable. Just imagine listening to this for 3 hours. The soundtrack’s strong suit lies in how it was used in the film.

Hanna (The Chemical Brothers)

I have listened to a bunch of Chemical Brothers music before, mostly those featured in movie soundtracks such as in Fight Club (they used the title The Dust Brothers back then) and Black Swan, but it was not until Hanna that I came to really appreciate the awesomeness of their sound. The Hanna soundtrack consists of electronic tracks with elements of ambient music, whistling tunes, adrenaline-filled beats and pumping bass. This had been on steady repeat on my playlist. I am wildly addicted to it. One of my favorite tracks is the vocal version of Hanna’s Theme.

We Bought A Zoo (Jónsi)

I am a massive fan of the Icelandic band Sigur Rós, hence it shouldn’t come as a surprise that I love this soundtrack to bits even though I haven’t watched the movie yet. It was helmed by Jónsi, the band’s vocalist/guitarist. The trademark ethereal sound the band is known for is evident in the soundtrack. Tracks like Boy Lilikoi and Go Do have this very playful and childish tone that bring out the kid in me and are a lot of fun to listen to. And of course there’s my all-time favorite Sigur Rós song, Hoppípolla, which is a very fitting addition to the soundtrack.

Drive (Various Artist, score by Cliff Martinez)

The soundtrack proves a remarkable one because of the fact that amidst all the impressive elements of the film, it manages to become one of the highlights. The fusion of retro and ultramodern sounds effectively worked in giving the film the tone it needed. A Real Hero by College feat. Electric Youth is a standout for me, and Kavinsky & Lovefoxxx’s Nightcall made for a great and memorable opening sequence.

My Top 10 Movies of 2011

Sat, 31 Dec 2011 21:00:00 +0800

It’s that time of year again when the obligatory “best of the year” lists come out. I wasn’t going to make a list of my favorite movies of the year especially since there are still a lot of potential personal favorites I haven’t seen yet like The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, The Descendants, Hugo, Beginners, and Shame to name a few. But since it may take a while before I actually get to watch all of these movies, I have decided to give it a go. So, without further ado, here are my top movies of 2011…

1. Drive

Drive is unlike any movie I’ve seen this year. Or probably, ever. Although the soundtrack and the way it is impeccably used throughout the course of the film and the simplicity of the plot somehow reminds me of Hanna. Ryan Gosling’s cool, genuine and affecting approach drives the whole movie. He manages to evoke deep emotions with just a glance and a smile (or maybe it’s just me and my great admiration for the guy). It’s a thrill ride with some surprises here and there. A good example of film being an art, they say. Well, yes indeed.

2. Crazy, Stupid, Love.

I was destined to love this movie; it’s just my cup of tea. From its romantic comedy vibe and drama a bit deeper than I expected to its charming and perfectly-cast lead stars, I greatly enjoyed every bit of the movie from start to finish. And I definitely did not see that twist coming. The public declaration of love is a bit too cheesy for my taste but overall, it’s one great, fun and sweet movie.

3. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows part 2 was everything I hoped it would be…and more. Truly gripping and brilliantly translated onto the big screen with strong performances from each of the actors. Plus, the effects and visuals were awe-inspiring. They’ve managed to end the saga in the most fitting way possible. Sheer brilliance!

4. Hanna

What I love about Hanna is its non-conventional and artistic approach. Its plot is simple and straightforward yet it provides great entertainment. Both the action sequences and the soundtrack (by The Chemical Brothers) are kick-ass. Saoirse Ronan is an actress to watch out for ever since Atonement.

5. Jane Eyre

This movie adaptation succeeded in capturing the heart and essence of the English classic that I have come to love. It boasts heartfelt performances by both Wasikowska and Fassbender. Watching the movie, I fell in love with the story of Jane Eyre once again as I did when I read the novel.

6. Like Crazy

The trials and tribulations of young love told in a unique, current and realistic approach. It’s amazing how this film had no script and simply relied on improvisation by the cast. The leads, Anton Yelchin and Felicity Jones, brought something very raw and very natural to their performances. It’s like this year’s Blue Valentine.

7. 50/50

A film filled with heart and honesty tackling a difficult and stirring subject. It doesn’t come off as the weepie type of movie but it had me weeping; it had me laughing and crying in equal amounts. Joseph Gordon-Levitt delivered an affecting performance.

8. Bridesmaids

This movie is sick! And by sick I mean awesome and gross…in a laugh-out-loud funny way, of course. One of my favorite SNL funny women, Kristen Wiig, ultimately delivers. It is also worth mentioning that Melissa McCarthy & Rose Byrne were aces in this one. Although the comedy is not consistent all throughout, it still delivers countless memorable laughs which makes it one of, if not, the best comedy of the year.

9. The Skin I Live In

This movie is twisted on so many levels but with Pedro Almodóvar’s masterful direction, I was helplessly drawn into the story.

10. Mission: Impossible Ghost Protocol

Really solid entertainment with heart-stopping and never-before-seen action sequences and extravagant venues. The Burj Khalifa bit really kicks ass. Tom Cruise definitely still has got it and Simon Pegg is inevitably funny, but I would’ve preferred more Josh Holloway screen time.

Honorable mentions:

The Descendants, We Need to Talk About Kevin, Melancholia, Another Earth, Midnight in Paris and Contagion.

20 Upcoming 2012 Movies I Am Excited About Brave (Big Pixar...

Thu, 29 Dec 2011 10:43:00 +0800

20 Upcoming 2012 Movies I Am Excited About

Brave (Big Pixar fan!)
The Amazing Spider-man (I am curious about the Garfield-Stone chemistry, more than anything.)
The Dark Knight Rises (With the hype associated with this film, you can’t help but be greatly intrigued. Plus, the first two films were brilliant, so it’s likely that this will be, too. The trailer looks very promising.)
Django Unchained (2 words: Quentin Tarantino)
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (It’s a long time coming.)
The Hunger Games (Loved the books. Massively psyched for the movie.)
Prometheus (Have you seen the trailer? Looks mighty great. The cast is led by the original Lisbeth Salander, Swedish actress Noomi Rapace alongside Michael Fassbender and Charlize Theron, directed by Ridley Scott. And oh, the screenplay is written by Lost’s Damon Lindelof.)
Rock of Ages (I am expecting this to be along the lines of Hairspray. I have high hopes.)
The Avengers (If it’s remotely as good as Thor, Captain America, or the first Iron Man movie, I won’t dare miss it.)
Skyfall (Casino Royale is one of my favorite Bond films. Here’s hoping this will be up there as well.)
Gangster Squad (I was sold by the fact that Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone are in this. Simply love their chemistry.)
Dark Shadows (Johnny Depp playing a vampire? Wouldn’t miss it for the world. And my fave Eva Green is in it, too.)
The Great Gatsby (An adaptation of the famous romance novel of the same name directed by Baz Luhrman, and stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Carrie Mulligan. It’s my cup of tea.)
Anna Karenina (Another movie adaptation of a classic novel that stars Keira Knightley. Count me in.)
The Perks of Being a Wallflower (Honestly, I’m just curious to see Emma Watson play a character other than Hermione Granger.)
The Bourne Legacy (sans Matt Damon. But I believe Jeremy Renner will do it justice.)
Cloud Atlas (The plot is unique. Got my curiosity running high.)
World War Z (Brad Pitt + zombies. Have to see it.)
Gravity (They say it will utilize some of the same techniques that made Children of Men remarkable. That’s something to look forward to.)
Magic Mike (Stars Channing Tatum, Alex Pettyfer and Matt Bomer as male strippers. ‘Nuff said.)

My Top 11 Albums of 2011

Wed, 21 Dec 2011 19:24:00 +0800

11. Take Care | Drake

Drake mixes rapping and singing like he was born to do it. Well, he definitely proves that in this album, exceptionally. This guy, for me, is the dopest thing in hip-hop at the moment.

10. Torches | Foster the People

My feel-good album of the year. Their indietronica sound is contagious. This is the one I put on whenever I want get my groove on. Never fails me.

9. Wounded Rhymes | Lykke Li

This album has grown on me with each listen. Lykke Li definitely knows what she’s doing and is not afraid to do it.

8. El Camino | The Black Keys

Catchy. Groovy. Upbeat. Fun. Love. At. First. Listen.

7. Born This Way | Lady Gaga

The over-hyped album that definitely lived up to the hype. This is a far cry from Gaga’s previous album. It is ambitious, bold, controversial, eccentric and extreme…in a good, good way. There’s a little monster hiding in me all along and it has finally come out…WITH ITS PAWS UP.

6. The King of Limbs | Radiohead

The sweet ache of Thom Yorke’s emotive voice combined with the trademark electronic/experimental sound I’ve come to love from the band makes this album hard not to adore.

5. Angles | The Strokes

Sounds good and feels good. Probably my most favorite album from them.

4. Mylo Xyloto | Coldplay

Consider this the self-indulgent entry on this list. People may hate Coldplay for being the band that they are but others (ME!) will continue to love their sound simply because Coldplay makes good music. This album may not be their best lyrically and people may have gotten tired of the concept album thing; I kind of felt that way, too. But the fact remains that everytime I listen to this cd, I find myself singing or humming along to all the songs and falling in love with them with every listen.

3. Bon Iver | Bon Iver

This is probably the only album that puts me on the verge of tears due mainly to the melancholic, soulful vocals. It’s bolder than the first album but it’s just as haunting and dreamy. It’s a very compelling and emotionally stirring record that brought Justin Vernon from zero to hero in my eyes; from an unknown to a regular in my playlist.

2. Last Night on Earth | Noah and the Whale

I got to know this band just this year and I instantly fell in love with their music. Last Night On Earth is probably up there as one of my most overplayed albums. I just love listening to it over and over again. Most of the songs have this catchy, upbeat melody with a touch of indie folk. I also love the quality of the lead vocalist’s deep voice, but what really made me love this album so much aside from the beautiful arrangements is its message of optimism and life affirmation. Really great and beautiful album.

1. 21 | Adele

This has been one of my top favorite albums since the start of the year and as the months went by, my love for this album only intensified to a massive degree. It showcases just how brilliant of a singer-songwriter Adele is. No one can fault her powerful and emotionally-affecting vocals and each song in this album is impeccably produced. Adele has transformed pop music to a whole new level. My top album of the year, hands down.

Honorable mentions:

Barton Hollow - The Civil Wars
James Blake - James Blake
House of Balloons - The Weeknd
4 - Beyonce
w h o k i l l - tUnE-yArDs

“I thought I understood it, that I could grasp it, but I didn’t,...

Sun, 20 Nov 2011 11:46:26 +0800

“I thought I understood it, that I could grasp it, but I didn’t, not really. Only the smudgeness of it; the pink-slippered, all-containered, semi-precious eagerness of it. I didn’t realize it would sometimes be more than whole, that the wholeness was a rather luxurious idea. Because it’s the halves that halve you in half. I didn’t know, don’t know, about the in-between bits. The gory bits of you, and the gory bits of me.” - Like Crazy, 2011

Swim Until You Can’t See Land - Frightened RabbitAfter...

Mon, 15 Aug 2011 18:57:33 +0800

Swim Until You Can’t See Land - Frightened Rabbit

After watching The Beaver, this song kinda got stuck in my head. It’s really catchy and gives me happy vibes. I could listen to it forever…until I can’t see land.

P.S.
Just the perfect song to motivate me on my planned swimming training in the hopes of becoming an iron(wo)man. Haha.

Movies I Am Looking Forward To Watch Another Earth: As far as my...

Sat, 06 Aug 2011 10:37:00 +0800

Another Earth

Beginners

Like Crazy

A Dangerous Method

Midnight in Paris

Restless

The Tree of Life

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

One Day

The Beaver

Movies I Am Looking Forward To Watch

Another Earth: As far as my love for indie movies goes, this one has a really unique sci-fi concept. I am intrigued by it. trailer

Beginners: I am drawn to heartfelt, dramatic movies and this one has quite an interesting plot. trailer

Like Crazy: The fact that this won the Grand Jury Prize: Drama in this year’s Sundance is reason enough. Last year, Winter’s Bone won the same award. trailer

A Dangerous Method: It has an Atonement feel about it with its dark and troubled premise. Also, I have a feeling Keira Knightley will get another Oscar nod on her performance in this one. trailer

Midnight in Paris: I usually don’t get excited about movies with Owen Wilson in them but this one’s an exception because I think it’s going to be amusing to watch and it’s set in Paris (“There’s no city like this in the world.”). trailer

Restless: I have started to admire Mia Wasikowska as an actress after watching Jane Eyre so I’m looking forward to watching her other upcoming films. This movie leans on being light and heartwarming in a way that appeals to me. It’s different, and “different can be good”. trailer

The Tree of Life: With its attractive imagery and artistry, it’s most definitely worth a watch. Also, the trailer doesn’t give away much of the plot which makes it intriguing. trailer

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo: Being a big fan of the original Swedish trilogy, I am excited to see how Rooney Mara lives up to Noomi Rapace’s original portrayal and how David Fincher worked his genius on this one. trailer

One Day: Two words - Jim Sturgess. trailer

The Beaver: The movie that underwent several release delays due to Mel Gibson’s misdemeanor. Directed by and starring Jodie Foster with a supporting cast that includes Jennifer Lawrence. trailer

Limit To Your Love - James Blake Seriously, is there any way to...

Fri, 05 Aug 2011 19:42:19 +0800

Limit To Your Love - James Blake

Seriously, is there any way to not fall in love with this English bloke? I have listened to his album and my answer to that question is NONE.

Here’s the video to his version of Feist’s Limit To Your Love, which is also included in his album. The pounding bass coupled with his hauntingly soulful voice sure gives me palpitations. Dang.

“YOU TALKIN’ TO ME?” - Taxi Driver (1976) One...

Wed, 03 Aug 2011 20:10:45 +0800

“YOU TALKIN’ TO ME?” - Taxi Driver (1976)

One of my all-time favorite movie scenes. Classic.

Phoenix - one more reason to love the French. This is one of my...

Tue, 02 Aug 2011 22:54:00 +0800

Phoenix - one more reason to love the French. This is one of my favorites from Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix. C‘est magnifique!

Lisztomania or Liszt fever is a term used to describe the intense fan frenzy directed toward Franz Liszt during his performances. This frenzy first occurred in Berlin in 1841 and was later coined by Heinrich Heine in a feuilleton he wrote on April 25, 1844, discussing the 1844 Parisian concert season. The word is a portmanteau of “Liszt” and “mania”. Lisztomania was characterized by intense levels of hysteria demonstrated by fans.

Post-Potter Depression/Elation

Sat, 23 Jul 2011 19:45:00 +0800

I can still remember that fateful night back in high school when I got my introduction to the world of Harry Potter. I was in my room in our boarding house, bored to death, when a book lying on my roommate’s bed caught my attention. Since there was really nothing else for me to do, I borrowed it. Moments later, I was engrossed in the adventures of a boy wizard during his second year in a school of magic called Hogwarts. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets was the first book I’ve read in the Harry Potter book series. Despite not having read book one (as far as my memory serves me, my roommate got book two as a present and had no copy of book one so I settled with what was on hand), I still greatly enjoyed reading Chamber of Secrets with its riveting, thrilling and elaborate plot, lovable characters and fun storytelling - elements that are consistently present in all of the books in the series. Little did I know that that was just the beginning of a long and wonderful adventure to come.

Seven books, eight films and a little more than a decade later, my fascination with the Harry Potter phenomenon is still strong and solid. It had even gotten more intense as the books and films progressed. My devotion did not waiver even when J.K. Rowling killed off my beloved characters in the books and even when some of the film adaptations fell short of my expectations. The books have a certain level of intricacy that the movies just couldn’t duplicate. Nevertheless, I am a fan of the movies as much as the books. It’s like, no matter how powerful and vast my imagination is while reading the books, the movies provided a different kind of experience and breathed new life into the story and characters I have come to love. I know a lot of fans of the books who were left disappointed by the films because a certain part of the story was left out or altered. To me, it was just a matter of separating the films from the books. It’s the whole story arc that matters, not the minute details. This state of mind is the main reason why I always leave the cinema satisfied after watching each and every Harry Potter movie, and the most satisfied I have ever been was after watching the final movie.

Watching the last film was indeed bittersweet knowing that there will no longer be any Harry Potter films after. It was heartbreaking as much as it was redeeming. It was definitely a fitting finale and a spectacle to behold thanks to the creative minds behind the film and the brilliant actors who lent their talent and gave justice to my beloved characters. But in spite of all these, the post-Potter depression hit me even harder this time than it did when I finished reading the seventh book. I had difficulty coming to terms with the fact that the saga I have come to love dearly has finally come to an end. Of course, it’s not something that a few distractions can’t alleviate. In fact, the depression has now altogether disappeared and has been replaced with a sense of elation because, ultimately, the story of Harry’s adventures will always be there if I want to relive it. J.K. Rowling was spot on when she said,

“The stories we love best do live in us forever. So, whether you come back by page or by the big screen, Hogwarts will always be there to welcome you home.”

So, I guess, there’s really no reason to be depressed after all. Instead, I should feel grateful for having been able to take part in such a magnificent, inspirational and magical adventure which I will forever treasure.

Thank you, J.K. Rowling.

"The stories we love best do live in us forever. So, whether you come back by page or by the big..."

Fri, 08 Jul 2011 13:03:00 +0800

““The stories we love best do live in us forever. So, whether you come back by page or by the big screen, Hogwarts will always be there to welcome you home.””

- J.K. Rowling

Top 5 Albums (so far)

Sun, 03 Jul 2011 12:59:00 +0800

Just a simple take on my favorite albums so far this year.

1. Last Night On Earth - Noah And The Whale

L.I.F.E.G.O.E.S.O.N. - Noah And The Whale

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2. 21 - Adele

Need I say more? Well, 21 is undeniably one of the best pop albums in recent years and we have Adele and co. to thank for. Amidst all the sex-driven, auto-tuned and mindless pop records dominating the airwaves nowadays, the chart-topping songs from 21 is a welcome breath of fresh air. It’s got all the makings of a great album - catchy melody, dramatic arrangements, brilliantly-crafted lyrics and an incredibly powerful voice. Adele taps the depths of her songs and this is evident in every note and in every line of every song on the album. This is also, undeniably and inevitably, one of my most overplayed albums this year.

Turning Tables - Adele

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3. Codes and Keys - Death Cab for Cutie

Of course, this is included in my top albums list. Of course. I may be partial but you can’t deny that every DCFC album is just brilliant in its own right. This album leans more toward electronic but still retains the trademark DCFC sound I came to love.

You Are A Tourist - Death Cab For Cutie

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4. Bon Iver - Bon Iver

This is probably the only album that puts me on the verge of tears due mainly to the melancholic, soulful vocals. It’s bolder than their first album but it’s just as haunting and dreamy. It’s a very compelling and emotionally stirring album which is certainly the reason why I can’t stop listening to it.

Calgary - Bon Iver

5. Hanna OST - The Chemical Brothers

I have listened to a bunch of Chemical Brothers music before, mostly those featured in movie soundtracks such as in Fight Club (they used the title The Dust Brothers back then) and Black Swan, but it was not until Hanna that I came to really appreciate the awesomeness of their sound. The Hanna soundtrack consists of electronic tracks with elements of ambient music, whistling tunes, adrenaline-filled beats and pumping bass. This has also been on steady repeat on my playlist as of late. I am wildly addicted to it. One of my favorite tracks is the vocal version of Hanna’s Theme which you can listen to below.

Hanna’s theme (vocal version) - The Chemical Brothers

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Honorable mentions:

Barton Hollow - The Civil Wars
Oh Land - Oh Land
Nine Types Of Light - TV On The Radio
The King Of Limbs - Radiohead
Angles - The Strokes
Arrows - The Lonely Forest

earthlights: this is probably strangely accurate.

Sat, 02 Jul 2011 15:57:37 +0800

earthlights:

this is probably strangely accurate.

vivafilipinas: islandsmag: Check out this new ad. Mind the...

Sun, 26 Jun 2011 11:16:42 +0800

vivafilipinas:

islandsmag:

Check out this new ad. Mind the fine print: This value-driven campaign promotes the Philippines to its own people, many of whom opt to travel abroad unaware of their country’s beauty. “Tara na,” means “Let’s go.”

And while you’re at it, sign the no2mininginpalawan petition to help save Palawan’s treasures!

The Hunger Games

Sat, 25 Jun 2011 20:42:00 +0800

I finished reading the Hunger Games book series in a span of one week. I was so riveted by the story that I finished reading all three books within that period. It’s not superbly written and it’s far from being a perfect novel. I even found it boring at certain parts and I almost gave up reading the first book because of the unimpressive writing. But I persevered until I got to the good part, and when I got there, there was no putting it down. The author spun the story in exciting ways and provided twists that left me reeling. As for the writing, it got better as the book progressed. It certainly is a page-turner. After finishing all the books, I was so excited I instantly recommended it to friends.

The series centers on the character of Katniss Everdeen who becomes a tribute and participates in the Hunger Games. Here’s a background of the story from Wikipedia:

The Hunger Games trilogy takes place in an unidentified future time period after the destruction of North America, in a nation known as “Panem.” Panem used to consist of a rich Capitol, located somewhere in the Rocky Mountains, and thirteen surrounding, poorer districts which cater to the Capitol’s needs. As punishment for a previous rebellion against the Capitol wherein the thirteenth district was supposedly destroyed, every year one boy and one girl from each of the remaining twelve districts, between the ages of twelve and eighteen, are selected by lottery and forced to participate in the “Hunger Games.” The Games are a televised event where the participants, called “tributes,” must fight to the death in a dangerous outdoor arena until only one remains. The winning tribute and his/her corresponding district is then rewarded handsomely. It is required viewing for everyone in the districts.

Quite an interesting story, huh? Children killing each other and televising it? Well it sounds really repulsive in reality but in fiction, it sounds really badass. As a fan of the reality show Survivor, I was intrigued as to how the survival of the fittest will play out in a situation where children and killing are involved. I was also curious as to how the author will get away with telling a story with a premise so cold-blooded.

The book series has had a large following ever since the release of the first book back in 2008 and consequently, because of its popularity among young-adults and adults alike, it is currently being made into a film. This came as exciting news for fans of the books but when the casting was announced for the role of Katniss, many were dismayed. The same was true when the casting for the other two major roles was announced. As a fan of the books, here are my thoughts on the producers’ casting choices:

Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen

When I first learned that Jennifer Lawrence will be playing the 16-year-old heroine of The Hunger Games, my initial reactions were that she’s too old, she’s too pretty, she’s too tall and she’s too blonde for the role. She just wasn’t the Katniss I pictured in my mind while reading the novel. Her physical attributes does not fit the character at all, but I did not dismiss the decision of casting her as ludicrous right away considering the caliber of Jennifer’s acting. For those who do not know, she was nominated for Best Actress in the recent Oscars for her performance in 2010’s Winter’s Bone. Having known that, I didn’t entirely question the producers’ decision of choosing her to play the central character. The role of Katniss Everdeen is considered one of the most coveted roles in Hollywood today and a lot of famous and competent young actresses have auditioned for the role ranging from Oscar-nominated ones like Hailee Steinfeld, Abigail Breslin and Saoirse Ronan to popular ones like Chloe Grace Moretz and Emma Roberts to relative unknowns like Kaya Scodelario and Lyndsy Fonseca. From what I’ve read, Jennifer’s gritty performance in Winter’s Bone gave her an edge over the other hopefuls and according to the article, what really sealed the part for her was her strong audition which moved the audience to tears. As one producer put it, “You can manipulate appearance, not essence. Jennifer taps the inner life of Katniss.” With these things in mind and having seen her performances in her previous indie films, I am confident that Jennifer Lawrence will bring justice to the character.

Josh Hutcherson as Peeta Mellark

I have nothing against Josh but this came as a bit of a disappointment to me due to a number of reasons. First, I can’t seem to find any chemistry between him and Jennifer because to me he looks a lot younger. Second, I think he’s shorter in height than Jennifer (and I am really convinced he is). Lastly, he will forever be that cute, young, innocent boy in ‘Little Manhattan’ in my eyes and I’m still having a hard time picturing him in more mature roles like this one. In the books, Peeta is described as blonde with a stocky build. Alex Pettyfer or, more preferably, Hunter Parrish would’ve fit the character better, not to mention these two are natural blondes and are really easy on the eyes. But instead, the producers’ decided to cast Josh which got me thinking that maybe the decision was influenced more by what Josh can bring to the character acting-wise and less by appearance, somewhat similar to their decision of casting Jennifer as Katniss. Maybe I should just put my trust on the producers and believe that they know what they’re doing. So here’s hoping Josh will be able to make up for the obvious physical shortcomings through a strong performance in the movie.

Liam Hemsworth as Gale Hawthorne

With his tall frame, athletic build and manly looks, I think Liam fits the Gale character to a T. Well, except that he’s not as good-looking as I pictured Gale would be. I can see some chemistry between him and Jennifer so that’s a plus. But from the three major characters, I can honestly say that I gave the least thought on the Gale character. Upon learning that Liam will play the role, I had one major concern - CAN HE ACT? I haven’t seen any movie he has starred in so I have zero idea on how his acting skills rate. In fact I don’t know anything about him except that he’s Miley Cyrus’s on-and-off boyfriend and brother of Thor’s Chris Hemsworth. I have read some negative feedback on his performance in The Last Song which did not come as a surprise to me. So I guess my big problem with Liam, in contrast with the other two actors, is his acting ability which to me is a bigger deal than the appearance.

Having weighed in on the major cast of the movie and with a supporting cast that includes Stanley Tucci, Donald Sutherland, Elizabeth Banks, Wes Bentley and Woody Harrelson, I’d say it looks to be a promising film overall. It will not be an easy task translating the book into film, but I am truly hoping the movie will turn out great and not end up like another mindless blockbuster for teenage girls.

To all the people involved in the film-making, I say this: May the odds be ever in your favor!

I have been listening to Oh Land’s latest album and I must...

Thu, 23 Jun 2011 17:53:09 +0800

I have been listening to Oh Land’s latest album and I must say I am digging her experimental sound. Rainbow is my favorite song on the record. It has this poppy/dreamy/relaxing feel to it that doesn’t fail to lift my spirits up on a rainy day. Here’s an awesome remix of the track by an-ten-nae. It won’t hurt to give it a listen.

Hola tumblr!

Wed, 22 Jun 2011 21:10:00 +0800

So I finally succumbed to this thing called tumblr. I’m so weak.