left-handed wanders

As sort of homage to "Atonement" and to serve my continuing interest in Ian McEwan’s works. I’ve decided that the last significant thing I’ll do  before the year ends (instead of undergoing food coma) in a couple of hours is to read

"Atonement" the novel.  With Dario Marianelli’s musical score as background music for added effect (I’m digging "Elegy for Dunkirk").

***

After checking the novel’s availability in Powerbooks, Fullybooked, A Different Bookstore & National Bookstore branches (the ones near home) I found out yesterday that many booksellers are out of stock, much to my dismay.

I’m a bit picky when it comes to buying books. And one of the unspoken rules I follow is to never buy a title’s "movie tie-in edition".

But the afternoon’s decision came down to this

buy the movie tie-in version in Greenhills (A Diff Bookstore) or go on a pilgrimage to Rockwell (Fullybooked) and buy a copy with the 2002 cover.

It turns out my dad was supposed to buy some food stuffs at Greenhills this morning so the free ride easily trumped Rockwell.

If your planning to buy the novel in A Diff. Bookstore Greenhills, I’m giving you the heads-up by saying I’ve bought the last copy.

Happy New Year!

a film by joe wright
based on the novel by ian mcewan

***
In the course of the holidays I’ve found myself with no DVDs left to watch (the ones that I like at least). I promised myself that I would try to catch my remaining "must-see" movies on the big screen and "Atonement" was one of them. But to be honest the film’s February premiere here is a long time. So I’ve repeatedly checked the pirated-dvd havens, since October, for new arrivals hoping that finally someone generous enough has "duplicated" Atonement for mass consumption.

I got a copy and watched it last night
and it receives my acclaim.
***

I like Joe Wright’s debut film "Pride & Prejudice" a lot. From the camera treatment, musical score, to the editing–the vision. Beautiful. I admired the way the camera panned and swooped down the characters and how the scenes, somewhat unconventional and seamless, transitioned. And with "Atonement" we see the similar treatments as well and more.

As the movie starts, we hear the reminiscent chirping of birds but instead of a beautiful dawn we hear the keys of a typewriter. And then you leave the real world for a couple of hours

to be absorbed by a story, powerful and immense–lingering, bitter & sweet.

This film deserves all the nominations it can get.

I have never read sir mcewan’s novel. and I must say I regret not to have done so (and it is now on my urgent to-do’s. I am reading his other novel "Amsterdam" in which I see storytelling that I care for to know, "What happens next?" eagerly but in a casual way. Subtle and delicate).
***

The way that the film used looping scenes on several occasions was a genius device. it magnifies the theme of "memory" in the story: On how we can all recall the same thing or remember something in the past but find it distorted by time and other causes.

The musical score is also superb. Piano notes blended with a typewriter’s yacks builds such tension; piano and cello pieces towards the end stretches your breath and leaves you holding it for as long as you can and the distant voices of soldiers singing makes you yearn and hope for an end to a sullen longing.

***

The structure of the film moves on different timelines. It can be identified as having three parts wherein the final part serves as more of an epilogue. I will not expound much on the films plot and let the reader see it for themselves.

I’ll only tell you how I gripped my seat and how the sadness rushed through me as I saw the waters chrashing through the tunnel. To see Briony old and dying

still having doubts
still not believing
that she has atoned for the sin she has done.

a sin foolish, almost innocent

and I believe her.

for she cannot possibly atone for it in full.

I even wonder if she can atone for it at all.

And in honor of my favorite show 30 Rock I’ve decided to call our office Xmas gathering the Ludachristmas Party as well.

It’s just hours away, finally. Woot!

Well
it won’t be anything like the 30 Rock episode (The show is the most
awesome awesome ever ever ever. I’ve stuck with it since the Pilot and
never waivered since. Tina I was one of the "dozens" who watched the
show when it started! Congratz on another Golden Globe nod!) I know,
we’re not going to be locked up inside a room with a priest to
contemplate the true meaning of Chris–wait. We’re going to have mass
right?

***

My morning didn’t start right though. I had a
horrible time hailing cabs on P. Tuazon (the drivers ignored me/almost
all of them were already occupied). So I ended up taking the jeep &
arriving late yet again. I wanted to take a cab because of the big boil
above my right eyebrow.

***
First I thought it was just a big
pimple, but since yesterday it looked like I was about to grow a horn.
I swear when I got out last night everybody stared at it and I hoped to
avoid that this morning, but no. I’ve put "Katialis" oinment over the
sore for a couple of nights now and the swelling has reduced.

I
think this is my first boil ever. And almost everyone here at work has
willingly shared their boil horror stories. Now, I’ve heard enough
spiels to make me slice this f*ckin thing with a scalpel before the
dreaded "eye" shows. I hope this heals before Christmas. I wouldn’t
want to nurse it the whole vacation.

And

this
being my first boil. I couldn’t help but to get a little
OC-Hypochondriac about it. So I searched the net for remedies and
stuff. Most of the sites say that you can treat it on your own.

But you have to see a doctor if:

1. It lasts more than two weeks
2. The pain is unbearable
3. Swelling does not subside
4. If you get a fever.

I panicked a bit last night cause I felt feverish. But I think I’m ok this morning maybe it was all in my mind.

So, I’m attending a party like this:

I couldn’t borrow a digicam so I just shoved my face over the scanner.
Oh btw I bought my copy of Jessica Zafra’s Twisted 8 last night. A good read so far.

Oh well.

Again Merry Ludachristmas!

X job interviews

7 job offers

2 Hirings

1 Resignation.

Man.

Feels like a lifetime.

I feel guilty today.

This morning when I left the office my dad
asked me if he could borrow money cause he won’t get paid till next
week. And I had a hard time saying, "Ok".

I got annoyed. I think I didn’t answered.

It’s just money.

Why can my parents give it so freely (when we needed something) and I can’t?

It’s not like they’re going to use the cash for inane stuff. It’s for the bills and shit.

I’ll let them borrrow the money.

The only thing I regret is

not saying, "Ok" immediately when they asked.

In between office breaks

I decided to take a break from "Cloverfield" conspiracies.

Saw the trailer for "Atonement". Looks nice. Falls into the film themes that I like explored: Betrayal, Sex, Jealousy etc. And the teaser posters look great.

Each panel completes the words: You can only imagine the truth.

Apparently it has premiered in Hong Kong and Indonesia tried searching for buzz on a Philippine premiere–nada.
Instead I Found out that Pinoy Farmers are urging UN Ambassador Angelina Jolie to see their Plight. Far fetched call? I don’t know. Angelina in Manila? Awesome.

Oh and "I am Legend" premieres here on January 8th. So, I’ll have to save-up some movie money a little after the holidays.

***
I want to be a designer for movie Posters/Ads. How do you become one?  Do Big Hollywood prod. houses have in house designers or they outsource it?  I’ll gladly accept if Focus Features hire me, kahit underpaid but with perks like movie freebies and free screenings before everybody else. Dream Job ko ‘to.

***

Oh try to catch "Eastern Promises" as well. "Godfather" fans will understand.

And for TV ads.

I like the Nokia N81 "Next Episode" commercial.
Nice copy and sound.

The soundtrack is my new favorite tune: Japura River by Uakti

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kTko8_mFNhw

(Shhh. The Next episode is about to begin.)

.Int. Living Room 12:30am

Jedi is about to go to sleep. He just came home from the office (worked overtime).

His sister left the computer on.

He decides to surf the net to know the latest  on "CLOVERFIELD" .

He types "CLOVERFIELD" in the Google bar.

He is surprised to see that an official site is up.

He clicks on the link http://www.cloverfieldmovie.com/

He soon sees a webpage with no links just a playing trailer.

He sits back and waits for it to load:

Jedi soon smirks at the gimmicky rolling credits.

He says, "Discovered footage eh? Ooooooooohhhh."

sarcastically.

Then he hears party people yelling "surprise!".

Gasps and awes are heard while a video cam shoots a NY skyscraper exploding

Liberty’s massive head narrowly misses the spectator on cam

Screaming/panic/mayhem

Hero appears on videocam stating events/facts

more mayhem

people running on deserted streets of NY at night.

Military camp scenes follow.

A creature has invaded the city.

Static noise is heard

cuts to a shot of a window.

Sound of howling creature rattles the glass

silence

then it explodes.

more mayhem.

running

more

(is that the lebanese girl from Mean Girls?)

running

helicopter about to crash?

title appears.

Jedi stares at the screen.

He utters:

"shit. wow. "

He now can’t sleep.

He curses Abrams.

He wants to know what happens next.

Now.

Right now.

(CLOVERFIELD?)

(Coz the monster leaves cloverleaf-shaped footprints?)

(nah. it cn’t be that lame)

Sons of Adam

"Prince Caspian" is the next Narnia film
adaptation to premiere this summer. Judging from the trailer it looks
better than the previous one. The actors who played the Pevensie
siblings in "The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe" all return to
reprise their roles, I wonder if they’ll stay till "The Last Battle".
They’re a good bunch, the chemistry between the siblings was believable
in the first film. So from here on, every succeeding generation who’ll
read Narnia will have them as facial references when they read the book.

But
I have to say that from all the Narnia books two are my favorites: "The
Magician’s Nephew" & "The Voyage of the Dawn Treader". So I’ll be
more eager to anticipate these film adaptations. And coming from the
net it looks like I’m in for a treat this 2010. Cause summer of that
year "the Dawn Treader" premieres (Yes!). I really want to see how
Eustace Stubb would be portayed. I had a blast reading that particular
book because of him. And I hope "The Magicians Nephew" would be
next–Empress Jadis in London! The Ruins of Charn? C’mon it’s more
awesome than Turkish Delight

Children of Night

December
14 is the premiere of "I am Legend". And I can’t say how I want to see
this movie enough. As you can see in my profile I am a sucker for
horror-survival films. Yes almost all the plots for this genre has been
done before but I couldn’t care less.

Give me
zombies/creatures/invasion/viral/claustrophobia/aliens/ viral
epidemic/running/stabbing/screaming/hacking/shooting/more running–I’m
happy.

Provided, that it’s done in a very good way not B Movie
grade like "Slither". Examples on top of my list: Alien, 28 Days Later,
Shaun of the Dead, Children of Men and Dawn of the Dead.

And I’m voicing out the popular opinion of most of you: I hope the Dog lives till the credits roll.

I’ve
just found out that this film is the third adaptation of a book. And I
think that’s my small Xmas gift for myself this season. Hehehe

I’m sure the film will probably hit our shores after December. Cause its Metro Manila Film Festival again in a couple of weeks.

Queen for the Ages

I saw the trailer for Elizabeth: The Golden Age. Wow.
Nice cinematography.
Cate Blanchett.
Reason enough to watch it.

Another JJ Abrams Mystery

The
net is buzzing with rumors on what "CLOVERFIELD" is all about. Once
again Mr. Abrams cooks up something to stir our curiosity with
maddening secrecy: Just small snippets, flicks, short trailers that
don’t make sense.

Probably you’ve seen the posters and 3D
stands in theaters (I saw one on Gateway Cineplex). The one with the
Statue of Liberty blown off and the rest of NY in ruins? Yep. Thats it.

it only says "2008"

well i hope all this hype is all worth it. Abram’s is building very high expectations.

For me he’s succeeded in the first half.

(Coz) I want to watch it.

COMING SOON

"Atonement" won’t be premiering anytime soon here (will it ever?).

and the new Angelina Jolie action film "Wanted" is something to look forward to.

There.

In elementary our teacher discouraged us to use the word "Xmas" in place of "Christmas" when we decorated our personalized cards for the holidays. The reason being that "Christ" is the reason for the season and not "X". I thought it stupid mainly because of a shallow reason. Writing the nine-letter word completely in our 1/4 size coupon bond (US Letter) card imposed certain restrictions: Like running out of space while writing fancy letters. Squeezing in the letters "a" and "s" (or whichever letter) at the edge or using the "^" / "-" were the common remedies my classmates and I resorted to. It also didn’t help that our teacher forbade us to use a new sheet of paper when our designs were "ruined".

Come on, having a card which goes

Merry Christ-
mas!

as!
Merry Christm^

or

M E R R Y C H R I S T Mas (there’s not even space for the exclamation point!)

at the front?

Incorporating the reasons in an academic-Christian-School mindset here are the reasons why I think we weren’t allowed to use it:

1. "X" being the symbol used to show incorrect answers.
2. "X" having a negative connotation is associated with Satan.
3. "X" a symbol for the unknown didn’t fit with the Jesus Christ Superstar image they painted.

But isn’t "X" appropriate to signify God’s

1. Omnipresence
2. Omnipotence
3. Omniscience

as X (unimaginable)(?)

I hope our teacher lightened up back then.

I would’ve created a cool "X" Christmas card.

***

(It’s so cold here in Manila. The Christmas lights all around are up again at night. I am actually happy that it’s Christmas soon.)

MERRY CHRISTMAS!