‘Sex and the City’ the movie loses its beat, but not the spirit….

Like most Sex and the City fans, I simply had to watch The Movie. Never mind if it was such a tall order for its makers to compress six seasons into two and a half hours of musings on love and watching the four ladies sashay in their designers fashions. Except for some very funny moments, the movie places a good second to the TV show, in my humble opinion. Still, the SATC spirit lives on!

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‘Da Vinci Code:’ the book vs. the movie

Watched Da Vinci Code in a free screening last night with Karla. Surprisingly I liked it better than the 500 or so pages of roller-coaster drivel contained in the book which I thrashed two years ago.

I am not joining the great debate between Jesus’ humanity and divinity as I don’t anymore have the time, energy or sufficient knowledge to do that. The public would be better off reading the book, seeing the movie and judging for themselves.
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High-tech gadgetry in Mission Impossible 3

I’ve heard from a friend last week about this couple who separated because of Smart’s Where-Is locator. The wife tweaked her(sleeping) husband’s phone so that she’ll know where he is at any given point in time.. on her cellphone. Unluckily for the hubby, he was caught lying several times (possibly at the following locations: Pasig, Pasay & Sta. Mesa, hehe). A married close friend of mine also finds the Where-Is function handy and am glad that as a single unattached Globe user, am spared from such unnecessary intrusions into my privacy.
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Blast from the 80s past: leggings and Phoebe Cates

Was just leisurely reading today when I heard the following news:

Leggings are making a comeback ~ especially as stores like Nordstrom are now carrying them in their shelves.

Phoebe Cates is alive and kickin’. She has just opened a high-end boutique in Manhattan called Blue Tree.

Leggings and Phoebe Cates..what could be more 80s than these?
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Brokeback May As Well Have Been Breakheart

Watched Brokeback Mountain last Sunday and Crash scored an Academy Award upset since. I have not watched the latter yet butI remember the former for its memorable line “I wish I knew how to quit you.” Hmmm, how many times have we said this to our most tempting vices, ranging from coffee, to cigarets to casinos or simply that beguiling lover who rocked our world?
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An encounter with The Shoe Legend

Sorry, I simply had to post this since it’s not everyday that I get to be in the same room with Imelda Marcos, the great poker legend Jack Binion (third from right) Golden Nugget Hotel & Casino president Tim Poster (second from left) plus some other Las Vegas moguls I can’t identify for now. Taken at my present homebase Hyatt Manila during a recent company gathering.
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Narnia-fied!

Maybe this poor blogger doesn’t watch movies every so often or maybe because it was simply good. Whatever the reason, I thoroughly enjoyed watching “The Chronicles of Narnia” at SM Megamall over the weekend. Oftentimes, I get to read the book before watching the movie but this is one instance when I now want to buy the book just because I enjoyed the movie.

Narnia is a captivating tale of treachery, ambition and greed and how righteousness rules above it all. The cinematography and special effects were simply excellent. My favorite characters in the movie were the child Lucy, the White Witch played by Tilda Swinton and all those talking animals. Of Lucy, I said to my seatmate “meron din palang foreigner na pango,” (hehe) and the White Witch was such a class act in portraying herself as a villainess that she almost looked like a rock star.

I don’t know what the movie’s rating was but I almost thought of bringing my son. It turned out there were some violent scenes. Gladly, my friend N was willing enough to accompany me to the movie screening ~ may movie companion at free dinner na, may driver pa, haha. Thanks, N!

Some excerpts from our conversations:

N (on the scene where Peter, Susan and Lucy swim together on the river on a rock of ice): Awshucks, ang lamig nyan!
Ajay: “Hindi malamig yan. Pelikula lang yan eh.”

Ajay: Naku, pag nabuhay pa uli ang patay na yan, Pinoy movie na ito.”
N: Ganun din naman sa Lord of the Rings me nabuhay na patay.
Ajay to herself: ohwell, at least ito may rationale kung bakit risen from the dead, unlike Pinoy movies na ridiculous ang dahilan ng pagkabuhay (aaargh)

N: what’s your favorite quote from the movie?
Ajay: I like the White Witch’s one-liners,especially “shave him!”

& i can’t wait to see the movie!!

Just finished reading “Memoirs of a Geisha” today which is not really much of a feat considering that many of my friends have devoured this a looong time ago. After trying in vain to borrow a copy, I finally bought one as a Christmas gift to myself (along with the Altec Lansing comp speakers, hehe)This novel by Arthur Golden is simply written and provides an interesting peek into the lives of Japan’s geishas, who are misunderstood by some as ‘glorified prostitutes.’Yet, not many people know that it takes a rigid, lifetime of training to be one, a geisha I mean. I did find most amazing the ritual of mizuage, or the men’s bidding for a young woman’s virginity and the geisha’s common aim of taking on a danna who will provide for her needs. Even though the book drones on in some parts, I loved it overall especially because am a lover of all things Oriental, especially Japan. And because this fictional story of Sayuri, the successful geisha is an enthralling account of true love.

Verdict: Now that I’ve read the book, I can’t wait to watch the movie!

How To Get A Date Without Really Trying

I texted American Lawyer on impulse last Saturday. He’s supposed to be a milestone in my dating calendar since I hadn’t met him through a chatroom, Friendster, blind date or my usual circle of acquaintances. He just sort of came up from behind me while I was in a computer store and gave me his calling card, like a casting agent would. It turned out we were almost neighbors.

Me : I am so bored and you are such a Republican snob.
Him: Hi! I just got back from L.A. I am bored too. An RX would be a live jazz session at Monk’s Dream or dancing at Vmar? Care to meet up later?
Me : A Republican-Dem reunion would be great but I don’t know any of those places. Where are they???
Him: Monk’s Dream is at Somerset Olympia Towers in Makati Avenue and Vmar is on Airport Road Pnque. Which one would you like?
Me : I think I prefer the jazz bar.
Him : Sounds great. Shall I see you around 9 at the lobby?
Me : Ok.

There was hardly anyone at Monk’s Dream that night but the musicality of the quartet playing was simply brilliant.I don’t ever remember listening to jazz live except on my CD player but this one was certainly a welcome experience. In the meantime, I had to keep up with A.L. who was talking like an encyclopedia over our big bento dinner. I also had fun discovering the songs of Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock, Kevyn Lettau, Wayne Shorter and the Beatles (A Fool on the Hill, anyone?) My current favorite is now the Goo Goo Dolls’ Iris which the quartet played with gusto that night:

And I’d give up forever to touch you
‘Cause I know that you feel me somehow
You’re the closest to heaven that I’ll ever be
And I don’t want to go home right now
And all I can taste is this moment
And all I can breathe is your life
‘Cause sooner or later it’s over
I just don’t want to miss you tonight

Lest my friends misconstrue me (again) I am not in love with A.L. I have never been with anyone where no sparks flew on the first two dates. But certainly I do want to keep him as a friend for several reasons:

1. A.L. does not ever say negative things about Filipinos. When I voiced out my opinion about Manila not being a safe place because of several things that happened to my friends, he would even say “Oh, the racial tension in L.A. is worse.” And this is a good thing since bigots freak me out, having encountered jerks living in countries near the Mediterranean.

2. A. L. is the perfect gentleman. He’s never made any advances, opens doors and pulls out the chair. Yes, even the most rabid feminist would like to feel, and be treated like, a lady sometimes.

3. A.L. chooses good restaurants.

4. A.L.is trim and has got a good mop on his head.

That’s just about it for now

*grin*

Bridget Jones frame of mind

Finally saw Bridget Part 2 movie because hopeless romantic self is a sucker for happily-ever-after-movies. Good to hear that Bridget ends up on the altar with dashing Mark Darcy despite fact that she’s bumbling, clumsy, and jealous of Rebecca who turns out to be a lesbian.

Blimey! Movie really has absurd plot, including one of Bridget being jailed in Thailand and Mark rescuing her like some knight in shining armor.But I loved the laughs and I like the soundtrack so I must say watching movie was as good as reading book, ehmm, four years ago.

Suddenly realized I like my man to be a Mark Darcy, who would keep his word and would go through ends of the earth for me. Who wouldn’t like a man like that? But sadly, not all men are like that (think Mr. Pomodoro); in fact men like that are facing extinction. Suddenly realized also that while the overweight/underweight plain Janes of this world will be playing nooky with their Santa Clauses this Christmas, alluring, sexy, errr sexually frustrated self will be bent over in the oven for some roast beef to bring to Momma who will surely ask me the godawful question: “how’s your lovelife?” Gaahh. Gaaah.

But really, must muster spirit of sacrifice and self-control. Must prepare self for seeing Mr. Big. Or maybe, God will prepare something wonderful for me and I will not be singleton for the longest time.

In meantime, my Bridget meter today reads: cigarettes 0, alcohol 0, calories from eating Jollibee burger steak while chaperoning Three Incredibles 675,number of shags in the last quarter 0, number of indecent proposals received the past month 14, calories used from using multi-speed 5,235, number of times thought in horror that multi-speed would lose battery life,15.

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