if i were a boy

I pride myself having a keen eye for beauty. A classic beauty never fades, it isn't necessary to keep up with trends.

 Mary Elizabeth Winstead

Biography and Movie List

Kate Beckinsale

Biography and Movie List

Grace Kelly

Biography and Movie List

The mainstream not less than 50 yrs ago

I neglected my blog lately, but that doesn’t mean I abandoned it. I’m not actually busy when 2012 commenced compared to the last quarters of 2011.

For some reasons, I found myself intensely hooked in watching movies.

Okay, who hasn’t?

But mine is different.
These are classic movies that are popular for a “little” long time ago; that I’m sure the majority of my co-generation peeps won’t even recognize. These were just some of my favorites:

snapshot on my laptop

Daddy Long Legs (1955)
Stars:
Fred Astaire, Leslie Caron 

A classic musical that includes ballet,  this one isn't a cartoon.

Gone with the Wind (1939)
Stars:
Clark Gable, Vivien Leigh

My favorite! V.L (Scarlett O'Hara) as the most manipulative woman you'll ever know. I actually found it funny, i love this movie because of her. and also, this movie lasted for almost 4hrs! (but I guarantee to those who love classic movies,  it's really entertaining)FYI this movie won 10 academy awards (There's a reason behind it, right?). Definitey, historical.

Ocean's Eleven (1960)

Stars:
Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr.

If you thought that All-star Ocean's 11-13 during the year of 2000's is original, better think twice. The George Clooney here is Frank Sinatra. These 11 men robbed not just 3 Vegas casinos, but 5 - not yet having the advancement of technology ofcourse. 

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (1938)
Stars:
Tommy Kelly, Jackie Moran and Ann Gillis 

What can i say? The character of this witty young men caught me at an early age. I've watched its cartoon during the 90's (which is funnier when dubbed in Filipino) and I've read its book.

The Graduate (1967)
Stars:
Dustin Hoffman, Anne Bancroft and Katharine Ross

You might have heard this movie first on Joseph Gordon-Levitt(as Tom - 500 days of summer), and had misinterpret it. You might have also heard about "Mrs. Robinson" on quite few lyrics and some scripts of movies nowadays. Well, This is the root of it all. This movie is really quite epic. I recommend this controversial movie to all young men. Who knows? maybe you can relate to it! :)

To Catch a Thief (1955)
Stars:
Cary Grant, Grace Kelly and Jessie Royce Landis

I'm definitely inlove with Grace Kelly's classic beauty, I'll choose her over Hepburn. Even Mattel made a rare Barbie (W/c is I am dying to have) inspired by her; wearing a Sky Blue gown that she's wearing in this movie. FYI Grace Kelly is a Monaco Princess in real life.

Casablanca (1942)

Stars:
Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman

Ingrid Bergman is a Beauty!

Roman Holiday (1953)
Stars:
Gregory Peck, Audrey Hepburn and Eddie Albert 

Last but not the least, the newer generations favorite, Audrey Hepburn. Aside from Breakfast at Tiffany's, Hepburn was just too good in girl next door roles. Not just because of her extraordinary style, talent and accent (which I dig!)the reason has always been her natural charm.

No matter how unpredictable I am (I don't care, it depends on how you perceive it), the truth is there has always been a classic heart within me.

behind love stories

Man loves action movies and maybe suspense. Ladies are usually seen watching comedy chick flicks, drama and love stories. Both men and women loves fantasy or horror. I may be specifically wrong but, whatever your preference is, it will be easily identify by gender.

Unlike me, I prefer it in the opposite haha. I love heavy action, suspense and thriller then, though as we all know, usual comedy chick flicks will start in impossible-reality and every ending is almost the same, it’s my preference as a comfort movie. I may not be into heavy drama and predictable love stories but - I surely love watching movies.

It is rare to me to recommend any movie without any action, but then there were some that, for me, is exceptional, something that is more than just a romance. Expect me to be amazed, (not to mention a very creative flow of story) every time that I find something “different” or something that the writer or maker had exposed unexpected ORIGINALITY.

The real essence in every story is when you dig deeper, but then the question is, if you really have something to dig in. If there is, then that’s what I am talking about. I prepared at least three:

City of Angels

People of the 90’s who doesn’t know this movie? If you really found out that city of angels (awaited movie back in the last decade) is just a trying hard to be a unique story – in short “corny” (I agree).

Then you should had listen to the soundtrack - no single word had been outcast because, its lyrics, line by line, was perfectly connected to its movie:

OST: Goo Goo Dolls - Iris

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

And I don't want the world to see me
Cause I don't think that they'd understand
When everything's made to be broken
I just want you to know who I am

And you can't fight the tears that ain't coming
Or the moment of truth in your lies
When everything seems like the movies
Yeah you bleed just to know your alive

And I don't want the world to see me
Cause I don't think that they'd understand
When everything's made to be broken
I just want you to know who I am

500 Days of Summer 

As the movie started with my favorite line "This is a story of boy-meets-girl, but you should know upfront, this is not a love story"

The perfect characterization of Tom and Summer made the movie so special, the love story is made perfectly bound not to be predicted.

This postmodern love story is never what we expect it to be – it’s thorny yet exhilarating, funny and sad, a twisted journey of highs and lows that doesn’t quite go where we think it will.  - Facebook Page

Especially when this movie is demonstrating REALITY vs. FATE, DESTINY vs. COINCIDENCE, you’ll wonder what will take place.

And how’s it gonna be with a  couple who doesn’t have a  perfect relationship but made their time together the very best. I definitely love this movie!

The Notebook

If you’re a fan of classic then, The notebook is one of the rare modern movie that is to be set in its best that it can, way back in 1940’s-50’s, expect its vintage vibes along with its classic story.

Almost everyone knows that this book turned movie is written by a best-selling author, Nicholas Sparks, whose forte is generally in love stories.

The movie started with a usual scene that an old man is telling a story.

The movie is quite long and I bet you don’t mind because by it scenes and settings alone, are very attractive (as I said, it’s classic) and it will really make you think what will happen, what would it be?

Some parts may make you think it won’t, some parts will make you think it will. But this one? It ends happily, without making it very predictable in the first part of conflict.

Rupan Sensei

I'm a big fan of Lupin III, or Rupan Sensei whatever how you know him by name, everyone who knows me well knew that. I watch it on local t.v when I was just a child, well, on enough age with my older brother, we just love it both. But when it was actually removed on that local tv, maybe with the reason it isn’t educational enough for young minds, I just had to grow up and find other locations for its episodes. 

To my surprise, there isn’t available TV episodes on pirated cd’s. I guess I could only have it on original copy, I’m not yet desperate enough to buy that online. But I found movie specials on dvd’s on recto. I can say even in Quiapo or Recto Manila the two dvd that I have in hand is still rare, it isn’t that easy to find. I have four movies in all with my 2 dvd, but still not enough. This anime is renowned worldwide because it is very controversial, in a ratio, I only have 4 out of 30 Lupin III movies I guess.

But then, of course I’ll find a way: Aside from tv episodes, I found some available online that I haven’t seen yet. Some Lupin III movies that I am searching is complete, no buffering, and clear. Plus; it is dubbed in English. 

I’ll share you a link of one of my favorite episode: The Castle of Cagliostro

PS. From what I remember I downloaded the veoh player.

this episode is very entertaining.

Plot Summary: Tracking the legendary counterfeits known as "Goat Bills," international thief Lupin III arrives at the Duchy of Cagliostro. Once there, he nearly rescues a damsel in distress from the Regent's guards. Following his failure, Lupin takes it upon himself to save her from captivity.

Dona's last quarter of 2010 list

I have been drooling for things that I really have no time to do it with. There are so MANY – I definitely don’t want to miss, for the reason that the feasibility study is on its peak, It feels like spare time is worth sleeping for.. haha. My mind is on a rollercoaster deciding which book I’ll buy first or what movie will go first. To the fact that I can’t decide, time is running, i think I should make a list and I’ll share it to you.

Okay, there were only two things for sure: I want to WATCH MOVIES and READ.

Dona’s list of books:

Stieg Larsson’s books – the man behind Lisbeth Salander – this author finished 3 books for his entire life; “The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo", "The Girl Who Played With Fire" and "The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets' Nest". They call it the millennium series – a trilogy. I just can’t get enough to thriller reads!


Her Fearful Symmetry Audrey Niffenegger – another thriller, from the author of Time Traveler’s Wife. You will usually see this book on bookstores in this cover. But surprisingly, while browsing I found out that it is already available for free online, you know! Ebooks  I even found one in google books. So there’s no reason for buying 
 

The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown – the last in my list and the only one I haven’t read for DB’s works. And now, my wish is granted, softbound is now available in national bookstores!  only P255! Before, only hardbound is available and it cost me P995, so I should really wait for softbound  we are meant to be, I never thought it is very soon.

 

Eat Love Pray – Surprisingly, I have seen its movie poster starring Julia Roberts
 

Jodi Picoult – I’ve watched My Sister’s Keeper which is I found very creative. I have a book of The Tenth Circle that until now I still haven’t found any time to commence reading it.

 

Dona’s list of movies:

Breakfast at Tiffany’s – I’m such a fan of classic in any forms, and when I hear that word I think of Audrey Hepburn. I found a compilation of her movies in record stores, including my fair lady and Sabrina – the 1st ever one and three other more. Im so sad I am unable to buy it. It’s a hard find for sure. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=urQVzgEO_w8

Easy A – I found Emma Stone uniquely pretty. I have watched her before in The House Bunny and Superbad, and she is funny too. I just love her! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DL7W6pEuAW0

Letters to Juliet – Okay. This is the movie every girls are talking about. I’m surprised Amanda Seyfried is bagging major roles after the first I saw her in Mean Girls with Lindsay Lohan. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xz43rtBUVA0

The Last Song – I don’t like the cast of characters in this movie. I’m interested just for the reason it is one of Nicholas Sparks works.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=joCwQ2pjfjw

Inception - they say it's a high IQ and should watch many times to be able to understand. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=66TuSJo4dZM

The Expendables – you know that I’m the only girlish type who drools with action stars and action movies. This one I should never miss. Because it’s allstar! BIGTIME http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6RU5y2fU6s

Sherlocke holmes – this movie is how many years old? They say it’s nice. And I;m a big fan of Iron Man – Robert Downey Jr. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7aROdTxt6M

Shrek 3 – my most favorite animated movie, especially the second one. You should watch it! haha Pinocchio is sooo FUNNY!!!http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7__TG7swg0

The Last Exorcism – with its trailer I can’t watch alone! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OxhdCcYHZZM
 

Hopefully, I'll be up for all of this before the end of the year, then another list for next year ;)

2009 - 2nd quarter

Every month seems to have a very much awaiting must-watch movies. And watching it right on cinemas is somewhat I call “uso” as of now. hehe


MAY - Angels & Demons

A novel brought into movie about science versus religion. The same character Robert Langdon or Tom Hanks who also play the role in The Da Vinci Code and the whole setting is in Vatican City. Honestly, I didn’t appreciate it much because I’m not just in the mood. So, I don’t understand it fully, thinking I will appreciate it more if I just read its book first. I’ll buy it within this semester, it just cost around P300. If there is a reason why I watched this it is because it was a Dan Brown’s creation! That’s all.


JUNE – Drag me to Hell

A loan officer ordered to evict an old woman from her home finds herself the recipient of a supernatural curse, which turns her life into a living hell. This one is one of my favorite latest horror movie.


JULY – Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen

Sam Witwicky, the human caught in the war between two major robot groups called Autobots and Decepticons. The film introduces many more robots and it has been expanded to numerous countries, most notably China and Egypt. I was impressed by the effects but it has a story though!