Angels and Demons

(For those who have not seen it, I'll try my best Not to include some spoiler here ;-)... I'll just mention some things that only those who read the book will understand, lol)

Finally, I was able to watch the movie version of Dan Brown’s Angels and Demons. Tom Hanks reprise his role as Robert Langdon, a Harvard University professor of symbology. I have read the book and as usual, there were a lot of changes made in the film. Some major characters were altered or not mentioned or did not exist anymore. The Camerlengo who was supposedly Italian turned out to be Irish in the film. The 4th victim of the movie was unexpected because in the book, his fate turned out differently. The hassasin (killer) was of Western descent instead of Middle Easterner or sort of like that. But he was more evil in the book. But still, the essence of the story was still there especially the heart-throbbing, mind-boggling part and the twist of fate in the story. The ending may not be completely the same as the book (as I was hoping they would include the other reason behind the crime) but still, I can say, that I was entertained.

Angels and Demons, by the way, is the prequel of The Da Vinci Code but it in the movie, it became the sequel.

New Moon

I can't wait for November 20 to come!! I'm a huge fan of Stephenie Meyer's Twilight Series that I am so looking forward to watch the movie version of New Moon. However, it is yet to be shown - 5 months away from now! I wish I could fast-forward the time, hehe, but there's nothing I can do except ~ WAIT. Anyway, here's the First official trailer of "The Twilight Saga: New Moon" and their official poster, too.

I hope Bella doesn't mind if I'll borrow Edward for awhile, hehehe..

A Mother's Prayer

I watched the movie, The Magic Sword (Quest for Camelot), a few years ago and at that time, I was still single. I remember I was so moved with one of the songs played. Actually, the mother in this story sang a song for her daughter, praying for her safety. Celine Dion was the singing voice of Lady Julianna and the song’s title was 'A Mother’s Prayer'. It was the first time I heard that song (Another version of the song, which is entitled 'The Prayer' and originally sung by Andrea Bocelli, is included in the movie's soundtrack ~ and later popularized by Josh Groban and Charlotte Church).

Recently, we watched the movie again, but this time, with Chloe. If I was moved with the song before, I was now deeply moved 3x more, and maybe because of the fact that now I already have a daughter. Well, as a mother, I’m always concern of my daughter’s safety especially when she’s at school or whenever I’m not around to check on her. But I’m thanking God for keeping her safe and watching over her, too.

Anyway, you can click and listen below the song that I got from lyrics.com and you can also sing along if you like ;). But it would be great for you to watch the movie, if you haven't yet. I can guarantee it, it really is an enjoyable film and it also comes with a great soundtrack. Singing voices include those of Andrea Corr of The Corrs, Celine Dion, and Steve Perry, among others. Pop versions of their songs are sung by LeAnn Rimes and Steve Perry.

Madagascar (You Got to Move It! Move It!)

Last Saturday afternoon, my husband, daughter and I went to see a movie, Madagascar: Escape to Africa. My daughter already liked Madagascar 1 so much that she's not even fed up of watching it in our DVD almost everyday. When I found out that Madagascar 2 is to be shown on November 7, even I, was ecstatic. So the next day, we did Escape to the movie house (",)

The movie was okay and we had a good laugh. But if I were to compare, I could really say that Madagascar 1 was a great movie to watch. But Escape to Africa was also a good movie. I guess it's just really hard to beat the original.

Movie Stuff

My Best Friend's Wedding vs. Made Of Honor

What do these two movies have in common? Well obviously, in both of the films, the protagonist was chasing after a best friend after finding out that he/she was about to be married. I watched My Best friend’s Wedding a long time ago and I found the movie to be really entertaining. Julia Roberts, as Julienne, played her character so well as the scheming, conniving, two-faced maid of honor, who was hoping to break the wedding of her best friend, Michael (played by Dermot Mulroney) and his bride-to-be, Kim (played by Cameron Diaz). But in the end, Julienne got to accept the fact that Michael loved Kim, that the two were meant for each other, and that she had to let go of her feelings and her selfishness. Aside from a good plot, the film also had one of the best soundtracks I heard. I just loved all of the music, which suited so well with each scene in the movie.

Recently, I got to watch the movie, Made of Honor, with Patrick (McDreamy) Dempsey playing the lead character, Tom. Described as a killer dater, Tom was a rich womanizer but never got romantically involved with his best friend, Hannah (played by Michelle Monaghan). However, things changed after Hannah came back from Scotland and introduced to Tom the man she was going to marry. Even worse, the guy apparently had royal blood and was much, much richer than Tom, much to the latter’s dismay and annoyance. But sure of his feelings for his best friend, Tom tried everything he could to win her back, even agreeing to be Hannah’s “Maid of Honor” just so he could be near her. In the end, he finally won her heart and they got married.

Now I don’t know about your opinion on these two movies, but if you ask me, I was more entertained by My Best Friend’s Wedding. The plot, the timing, the characters were perfectly portrayed by the actors, and even though they did not end up with each other, I felt no regret as a viewer, and was even relieved and satisfied with how the story went. In fact, I praised Julia's character even more after she accepted her defeat. In Made of Honor, the story was okay because the two best friends ended up with each other. However, I found it odd that the characters who were supposed to be best of friends were a bit awkward with each other, even during their friendship stage. And in some instances, the supposedly funny scenes turned out more corny than funny. Anyway, that was my own observation. Nonetheless, I think it was a wise decision to cast McDreamy for the lead in this picture. Otherwise, I wouldn't have given the film much recognition.

Marie Antoinette

I remember watching this movie some months ago. I was curious about it because it depicted the life of Marie Antoinette, played by the pretty actress, Kirsten Dunst. Maria Antonia Josepha Joanna affectionately known as Antoine, was the naïve, 14-year-old and youngest daughter of Austria's empress. She was selected by her mother to marry her second cousin, the Dauphin of France, Louis XVI, and seal an alliance between the two rival countries.

The intro was fairly interesting. However, as the story unfolded, I got soo bored. I kept on “fast forwarding” the DVD to skip the lousy parts. But it got lousier and lousier. In some parts, most of the actors had a very long idle moment and there was even no music to serve as their background. It was like was watching fish in an aquarium. Beautiful clothes or gowns were shown in the movie, which I know some fashion lovers would appreciate, but for gosh's sake that was so 15^th century ago. In the end, I hated myself for wasting two hours of my time. If you ask me, I'd give this film a rating of D- (for the effort) and I wouldn't recommend watching this movie. Or maybe this movie could work for you, but not for me.

Mr. & Mrs. Smith

I’ve just watched the movie last night, to think this was shown 3 or 4 years ago. But it was worth the wait. If I’d watched this movie 3 or 4 years ago, I wouldn’t have enjoyed it since I’d be very biased against Angelina Jolie. You see at that time, I felt Angie was the cause of separation between Brad & Jen’s marital bliss. I liked Angelina as an actress, but being the cause of somebody else’s breakup made me detest her (even though she kept on denying the allegations). However, as the time passed, things change and we also have a change of heart. I can’t abhor her forever; especially since most of Angelina’s movies were blockbusters. I eventually forgot my disgust about the Jolie-Pitts relationship. So finally, I decided to watch their ‘controversial’ movie. And mind you, I really appreciated the show and found out how good-looking they were together. I shouldn’t be surprised if one was attracted to another (again, even though they kept on denying it). I really enjoyed watching the movie. The story was unique and despite the heavy action, I had not a few laughs, too. I totally forgive Angelina and I’m putting her back in my pedestal again :)

Quotable Quotes

Watching movies was my favorite pastime when I was still single. Usually, every weekend, I went to the mall just to watch a movie, be it alone or with a date. And in every movie, I can always get a good line or phrases. After I got married and gave birth, Superman and Kung Fu Panda were the only movies that I was able to watch…sigh. Anyways, listed below were the movies with memorable quotes or lines.

HEAVEN AND EARTH

“A child without a father is like a house without a roof”

This is a story about a young but poor Vietnamese woman whose life was controlled by her mother. She later met an American G.I., portrayed by Tommy Lee Jones, and married him. He brought her to the U.S. thus, leaving poverty and woes behind. However, their marriage became shaky and eventually led to divorce. But Tommy Lee committed suicide. The young Vietnamese was then told this phrase when she consulted a Chinese spiritual adviser.

LAST OF THE MOHICANS

This movie became memorable to me when Hawkeye (played by Daniel Day-Lewis) told this line to Cora (played by the beautiful Madeleine Stowe):
Hawkeye to Cora: "No, you submit, do you hear? You be strong, you survive...you stay alive, no matter what occurs! I will find you. No matter how long it takes, no matter how far, I will find you. I will find you!"

JERRY MCGUIRE

Show Me the Money! – (shouted repeatedly in a phone exchange between Rod Tidwell and Jerry Maguire) – played by Cuba Gooding & Tom Cruise

And who would ever forget this line?

Jerry: Hello. Hello. I'm looking for my wife.

(Dorothy looks up stunned, and looks quite apprehensive)

Jerry: Wait. Okay, okay. Okay. If this is where it has to happen, then this is where it has to happen. I'm not letting you get rid of me. How about that? This used to be my specialty. You know, I was good in the living room. They'd send me in there, I'd do it alone. And now I just... I don't know. But tonight, our little project, our company, had a very big night. A very, very big night. But it wasn't complete, wasn't nearly close to being in the same vicinity as complete, because I couldn't share it with you. I couldn't hear your voice, or laugh about it with you. I missed my wife. We live in a cynical world, a cynical, cynical world, and we work in a business of tough competitors. I love you. You complete me. And if I just had...

Dorothy: Shut up. Just shut up.....You had me at hello. You had me at hello.

TITANIC

Jack , I want you to draw me like one of your French girls , wearing this , wearing only this. – Rose to Jack portrayed by Kate Winslet & Leonardo di Caprio

HORTON HEARS A WHO

A person's a person, no matter how small

KUNG FU PANDA

Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift—that is why we call it the present – Master Oogway to Po

THE TEN COMMANDMENTS (The Classic of All Time)

So it shall be written, so it shall be done

My girl...growing up

School just started and I can’t believe that my baby Chloe is now in Kinder 1. How time flies so fast because the baby I used to carry is turning 5 years old next month. Recently, there are so many changes I’ve noticed in her. Unlike last year when she was in Nursery, she had so many fears and one of them was her fear of dark places. This time, I am so glad that she had surpassed it. Last weekend, we tried bringing her to a movie house where we watched Kung Fu Panda. The movie was so kid-friendly and even adults like us, Chloe’s mom & dad, enjoyed the movie and had a full laugh out of it. However, at first, I was concerned how Chloe would reacted as we entered the dark room but she seem to be enjoying and even blurted out “Wow” so loud that we have to tell her to lower her voice. She was also examining her surroundings, looking what was under her seat that I have to explain to her what she was seeing. Anyway, we all had a good time inside the movie house and my little girl is already looking forward on what movie she will watch next.

Another fear that seemed to vanish was her fear of odd objects, especially ugly objects. Before, she could not even look or touch a toy snake but now, she loves picking it up. Halloween party last year was almost a disaster because she didn’t like her classmates’ witch costume & all, but now, she’s already looking forward on their Halloween costume party. She kept on reminding me to buy her a costume of Ursula, the Sea witch in Ariel the Little Mermaid. She wanted to be an octopus with plenty of tentacles. And I don’t know where would I ever find that! Well, things really change. I just hope that everything slows down a little bit. But hey! The world is evolving, time is running and everything is growing so I might as well enjoy every moment of it especially my time with my little angel Chloe.