MOVIES X 3!!!

This week, I got to see not one... not two... but three - yes three movies!!!!   Not sure how I managed but in between work and taking care of Juju, I did - and I could not be Happier!!!

 

First film I saw, thanks to the FREE PASS, is the Taiwanese made film "Black and White".  Was reluctant at first as I was not too sure if there will be English subtitles but since it is an action film, I said to myself: "What the heck...  plot will be simple enough to follow>"  Though it really was, am still happy there was English subtitle after all.  And was quite surprised with the film - could totally rival those made in Hollywood in the Special Effects and Actions scenes.  Acting from the cast was good enough...   considering they did not have much to say.   Was overall Happy and Satisfied with the film, just cannot stand the addition of the "trying so hard to be funny" side kick / partner of Mark Chao...  could totally do without him....   he was not even funny... guess the writer was gunning for the same sidekicks seen in Hollywood Action flicks - but failed. 

 

Then on the 9th of this month I set out to see the premiere of DRACULA - my most anticipated film this year.  Weeks ago, I already decided that by hook or by crook - I will get to see it on the first day.  And with babysitting chores later in the afternoon - it worked out well that I went to the first showing.  Got up earlier than usual... did all my work... shipping and all.... making sure I make it in time for the film.  Lots of high speed maneuvering but totally worth it!!!

Not expecting much about the storyline, as most reboots does not live up to expectations nowadays - I was still amazed, enthralled and thrilled by the film.   I do not know anyone in the cast except for Charles Dance and Luke Evans... and that was just fine by me....  I was really there for the legend that is Dracula, the costumes, the cinematography and Luke Evans....   and those all got two thumbs up from me!!!   I left the theatre happy and with a hope that a follow up will be in the works! 

 

Third film is "Gone Girl".  This one I knew nothing about....   I agreed to go with the girls as I like most everyone in the cast plus I know if it's a David Fincher film, one is in for a ride.  And it sure was one helluva ride!!!    So many unexpected twists and turns....  and the Cast, every single one of them, delivered!!!!  Especially Rosamund Pike....   I was a Fan then - am a bigger Fan now!!!   It is one of those movies that is sooooo good, you would not mind seeing it again, and again, and again....   and not for the much talked about Private Parts of both Ben Affleck and Neil Patrick Harris - besides, in Taiwan, those scenes always end up on the cutting floor. 

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So over all, this week, I have nothing to complain for - and much to be happy about!

Hope everyone else's week is going well.

No Monday Blues!!

Here we go again...  Another Monday..  another start of a new work week...  like most, am not ready but at the same time am glad it is..  Last week of May..  Then my FAVE month comes, June!!!    Last week was especially trying with so much waiting happening....   to a point that I think the stress got to me I ended up catching a cold - just woke up one morning feeling weak and sick... lasted over the weekend but am feeling better now....  trying to keep the strength up and the positive attitude - and praying that this week will end my waiting period!!!

Have a Great Week Ahead All!!!

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On a GOOD NOTE - over the week last I did get to do a few nice things:

Caught X-Men: Days of Future Past with Juju!

 

Went to CHURCH and was treated to a SANTACRUZAN Procession

 

and even saw Taiwanese Idol Will Pan Debut his Brand New CD!!!

And ended the week by watching the DVD of "About Time" with Fave actress, Rachel McAdams..  Such a delightful film..  Had everything in it that makes for a terrific feel good movie

- even the tragic parts included!!!

FROZEN

Had another first with Juju today  - first time to a movie!!!  Well, technically it is the 2nd but the first time, Madagascar, she could not sit still and kept talking loudly, we actually left 30 mins into the movie - so as not to upset the other movie goers...  Lol!  This time around Juju was great..  She sat still..  Talked softly, as i taught her, whenever she had a question or comment...  And just truly enjoyed the movie...  Laughing, clapping and reacting at the right moments...  Swaying during the musical numbers...  And was even more sadder than I when the movie finished...  

FROZEN was the perfect movie...  At three years of age, Juju is understanding more and is getting to be a true lover of Disney/Pixar films...  Thanks to Tangled, Finding Nemo, Monsters Inc., etc...  And it helped that we wend on a weekday afternoon when not too many people are around....  less frustrating, less pressures, and less crowds to deal with.....  like having your own movie screen!!!

 

The movie, based on the Snow Queen,  was wonderful....  The animation superb - as a Toy Lover, am feeling a need to find some of the figures produced for the film!!!  The music was catchy enough and having Jonathan Groff and Idina Menzel voice out  two of the main characters was a delight!!!   Idina doing the main song, "Let It Go", is a shoo in for the OSCARS, and I cannot wait to see/hear her sing it LIVE...

And am even getting to enjoy older Disney movies (Snow White, Cinderella, Beauty n the Beast, Little Mermaid) as I introduced them to her via DVD on the days I babysit her.. And through doing so, I have reignited my love for Disney films... Which are basically Classic ones now!   Oh how I delight in seeing them again...  Like seeing old friends once more!!!  

Thanks Disney/ Pixar for the many years of delighting and thrilling with your films!!!   And here's to many more to come!!!!

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Right after, we even get to play around the Miramar area for a bit!

Movies.Movies.Movies

Did catch a few films over the month that i was not posting so much..  Last one I posted about was World War Z but there's been many blockbusters since then.....    Here's a rundown of the one's i got to see in July:

Despicable Me 2

Pacific Rim

Saving Mother Robot

 

THE WOLVERINE

Zombies Attack!!!

What a Movie!!! First 15 minutes alone, i was already shaking with my feet up on the movie house chair...  And it did not let up..  Even on the quiet, slower moments, my pulse was beating fast in anticipation of another fast paced attack by these zombies!!!

Am talking about World War Z, of course...  What a movie...  Yes I just have to say that again!   Not knowing anything much about it, never read the book, i went just expecting Brad Pitt in a big Hollywood Action film with lots of CGI moments...  And yes, i did hear about him fighting off Zombies, so I was thinking: "Oh no, Brad is selling out and capitalizing on the Zombie genre popular of late...  Was I wrong...  Not even closed to my expectations...  Truly kmore like a thinking man's zombie film...  No not too much talking but well written and all just made sense...  Did not capitalize much on the family drama aspect, which it could have... Nor did it have too much bloody  nonsensical killing moments...   It was just nicely balanced...  And the ending was believable enough, and am glad it left room for a follow up...  I would see A Sequel for sure!!! 

 

And yes, Brad Pitt, haggard and aged looking in the film is still quite a HUNK....  he sports the same look and feel he exudes in the CHANEL adverts....  every wrinkle, every lines, and every white hair disappears in his acting....  you focus on the character and you root for him....  and now and again, get a glimpse of the hunk that Brad Pitt is, and always will be....

Don't want to say more except, the zombies are nothing like you have seen before - they move FAST!!!  Don't think I would have been able to survive a 3D version of this film...  But am Happy to be able to say I have survived World War Z!!!

SuperCool!!!

I Did It!!!  I survived the Looooooomg wait to see - not only Superman resurrected and revitalized, but to see Henry Cavill inhabit the suit and do justice to the uniform!!!  

It was quite a ride...  And am glad I was able to witness it

on the first day of it's release in Taiwan..  And the first showing, too!!!  

Now Bring on the Sequel and the Justice League movie already!!!

yes, I even came with a few SUPERFRIENDS to root the Man of Steel on!!!

I just LOVE this photo!

Dynamic Duo

Nope..  Not Batman and Robin but one of Summer's Blockbuster Movie Tandem - Captain Kirk and Mr Spock of Star Trek!

They really do not need much of an introduction as by now, most everyone on the planet Earth who has access to TV, Movies and/or Magazines have seen and heard of them...  And most who have are Fans already...  Myself Included!  And they make quite a nice BROMANCE duo, too... never one to shy away from professing and displaying affection for each other....

So they are this week's Hump Day Hotties!!!

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Thank God that Lindsay Lohan movie, Just My Luck, did not ruin his career from the get go.. Chris Pine has been steadily building up quite a resume.... we already know he can do action, be dashing and funny....   but the BOY CAN REALLY ACT!!!  Just see "People Like Us'...

Chris Pine in the latest issue of OUT Magazine.

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Zachary Quinto, of course I first found in HEROES... his SKYLAR is soooooo juicily evil - one cannot help but root for him - though his deeds were all bad.... then he came out and he was even more attractive to many - Straights and Gays Alike!   Then in American Horror Story Season 1, not shying away from playing Gay - he was both campy and wickedly delicious....

(ANYTIME SPOCK, ANYTIME!!!)

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NOTE: This post was actually for LAST WEEK's HUMP DAY - right after I saw STAR TREK - somehow I got sidetracked - staring at all the photos I was GOOGLING no doubt, I completely forgot to POST... LOL!!!

Star Trek: Into Darkness

Amazing Visuals. Awesome Special Effects. Adrenaline Pumping Action. Hot Villain.  Super Showcase for Captain Kirk n Spock - BroMance Included.  Everyone in Top Form!  What else could anyone want for in a Star Trek film?  Aaaaah yes, there is one thing....,,,,.   MORE!!!!  Get the third one going already Mr Abrams!!!

The Fantastic Cast!

No complains for me about the casting and am quite Happy everyone returned...  my only complain would be in that - with this large of a cast on a two hour film, not everyone will get enough to do....  and though the movie tried - it would have been IMPOSSIBLE.... 

The minute I read that Benedict Cumberbatch (Sherlock Holmes of BBC's Sherlock) was on board to be a baddie - I knew I was in for a juicy treat....  and he did not disappoint...  such a commanding presence and talented actor....  almost stole the whole movie right under Chris Pine's and Zachary Quinto's noses.... He made one Hell of A Khan!!!   :)

The BROMANCE between Captain Kirk and Mr Spock reaches a new level of deepness when lives hang in the balance... handles quite well, sticking well into characters... Both Zachary and Chris handled all the emotional scenes well... They will put tears in your eyes - for sure!!!

"Impossible" Not To Cry...

Last week I was able to catch "The Impossible" before it slipped away quietly in the Theatres here in Taiwan....   it did not get as much attention here, I suppose due to the subject matter...  after all, who wants to be SAD in the midst of the Chinese New Year celebrations...

 

But I am sooooo very glad I saw it upon my return to Taipei... already not playing in many theatres - as most movies here have a lifespan of 1 week or so only....  seeing it in the BIG SCREEN made the TSUNAMI effects all the more real and devastating....   I swear, I have not cried this much in the first half hour of a film since the Disney Pixar Animation Film, "UP"....   I have read so much heartbreaking stories about the TSUNAMI in 2004 that claimed so many a Vactioners' lives in Thailand...  but seeing all of these on film, based on a Spanish family's real life ordeals from this disaster, was just too much to take in without shedding tears....  and to happen in the midst of the Holiday Season....  Oh what they went through - physically and emotionally.... one would not even want to imagine, really....  

(ABOVE PHOTO: The real family the movie is based on.)

 

The acting were all top notch....  well deserved Oscar Nomination for Naomi Watts...  and Oscar's Biggest Snub and Blunder, in my opinion, is failing to reward novice actor, Tom Holland with a Best Supporting or Best Actor nod...   he truly carried the film...  such a heavy task for a young actor and he did it all....   he made you feel every struggle, every tear, every heartache...   and most of the time without even uttering a single line.... Good thing the critics all over the world were smart enough to single his acting out and rewarded him with Breakthrough Performer of the Year awards....   Big Future in the movies for this boy, that's for sure....  Am already a Fan!

At the end of it all, the movie is a Great Tribute to one's family's flight for survival, to all the lives lost, and the compassion of the Thai People.  MUST SEE FILM!!!

 

 

Fun Friday!

Yesterday was break for me from the work week....   got to go to the GYM....  got to do some work....  then had a tasty lunch with Sue - complete with Goodies and Fun Chat!

A bit later, had a nice FRESH BAKED BISCOTTI Surprise courtesy of Mr Wu.... 

plus a Matinee of "Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters" at the MIRAMAR Complex....

...then it was back to work...  and a trek to the Library with Juju in tow....

 

Silver Linings

Just caught this last night on DVD....  I had no idea what this film was about, really - bought the DVD simply because I heard the 2 main actors are Oscar Shoo Ins - as well, as the film itself...  and of course, since the main actor is a FAVE HOTTIE of mine: Bradley Cooper.   Let me tell you, sometimes it is BEST not to expect anything, then one can just go with the movie and enjoy it so much more for what it is!

 

The movie is very well written....  the family drama, the conflicts, even the light moments all makes sense.... of those films that pretty much ran the gamut - from heavy drama to comedy...  which is why I understand now, why the movie and all involved were lumped in the  MUSICAL/COMEDY category in the recent Golden Globes - the drama was subtle but packs a wallop.

 

BRAVO all around to all actors - principal and supporting.... much deserved OSCAR Nominations - yes, even for the Mother! Bradley Cooper is just getting better and better as an actor....  I do not often get to see him in dramas - but he can totally carry the weight of it all...  he is cvery much so, a capable actor and given the right roles - he can only shine so much more....  and ma how handsome and sexy he is.   Jennifer Lawrence, for me was a revelation.... as if am watching a different actress from the one who played Mystique and Kat of Hunger Games... and then there's Rober DeNiro - what more can one say about this guy...   truly one of the best actors of all time - he never misses!!!

 

MORE INFO HERE: Silver Linings IMDB

Movies - Take Me Away!!!

Today was somewhat of a FRUSTRATING DAY....  I mean it did not start of so - did my work, cleaned up a bit, then got ready for a Lite Lunch with Juliana....   Had our lunch - nice and tasty... and great chats, of course.....  then we both hack to work for 3 PM appointments...  Her's for interviews she has to do at work, and I to accept a delivery from CHINA I had been waiting for since last week....    my way to lunch, the Courier company called and set the delivery time....

 

Anyway, was home about 10 minutes before 3PM....  even called the courier company to tell them am home and waiting - and to this they just said OK....   an hour had passed andcome, so I called....  then I wast ready and cannot give me an exact time they were coming - but that they will come....  not wanting to miss the delivery opportunity, as the weekend is approaching too - and would have had to wait till MONDAY again if this was missed - I hung on and waited and waited and waited....  it was finally delivered - after 6:30PM....  3 and 1/2 hours late - with no advisory whatsoever....  and as you all know - WAITING IS NOT A VIRTUE OF MINE - so this left me frustrated...

 

I totally missed the showing of a movie I have a PASS for....   it was too late to GYM and already too dark to go for a run...  was going to meet Juju and her Mom for dinner but instead they had to meet up with some friends - other Moms with kiddies....    I was left with nothing but feeling a lot of frustrations.....  So I walked and walked and walked... and decided THE MOVIES....  it is always a GREAT ESCAPISM for me....  so why not go to the movies....   with not much playing here right now....  already saw 007 and Magic Mike - and I was too tired to be reading subtitles - I opted for Breaking Dawn Part 2....   Not really a follower... and a couple of entries I did get to see, I was neither awed or moved... just OK...  but sometimes, just OK is better than NOTHING....   and I was glad I went...  this, SUPPOSEDLY, last installment to the SAGA was not too bad...  though it borders on predictability, boredom and hokeyness - I just went with it... let it take me away - and my frustrations away... 

 

and so  that makes my THANKFUL ENTRY #16: THE MOVIES!!!

-whether in the Big Screen or in the privacy of your own home... With a group of people or alone... Be it Drama, Comedy, Animation, Science Fiction, Love Story, Action or Foreign... Big Budget Hollywood style or Indie... ...

The Movies are still one of the Best form of Escapism...

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THANKFUL 15. THE WARM FUZZY FEELINGS WE GET! And that is just what I got watching the Please MeiMei Tree Lighting Event... 

Brought back Sweet Memories of those I witnessed in the Bay Area growing up.... 

Truly makes the Heart Sparks - just when one needs it the most!!!  

COMPLETE PHOTOS HERE: Please MeiMei Tree Lighting Event

 

Thankful.11

For this 11th Day, I want to give thanks for San Ming Community Center Gym....  

San Ming Have been the BEST place to get a good work out for the last 5 years...  at least....   Not only is it convenient to our home - only 15 minutes away by walking - which gives us NO EXCUSE NOT TO WORKOUT - COME RAIN OR SHINE...  But it really is a pleasant place to go as most of the time, one need not wait too long for a Machine or the weights - if you even have to wait.....   Plus as an added bonus, with it located on the 9th floor - Great Views of the city can be admired from all sides of the place....

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...and though it has been a gloomy, rainy Sunday in Taipei - I really cannot complain as e to enjoy the day....   Went to church as I do most Sunday....  then afterwards, we took in 0t adventure, SKYFALL - via IMAX Theatre even!!!   Truly one of the BEST BOND film ever - in a looong time, EVER!!!   Daniel Craig as 007, as always, embodies true Manliness - and embracing getting on in years just makes him even more of an Idol for both Male and Female fans....  Long Live 007!!!

After the movie - it was time to treat the rumbling in the tummy with some good old HOT WONTON Soup and Peanut Sauce Noodles....   All of these add up to a PERFECT cold & rainy day.....