A VENOMOUS HYPE

TWILIGHT



I haven't read the phenomenal bestseller since Harry Potter (according to their promotional poster) but I'm planning to read these four novels by Stephenie Meyer soon. Something is enigmatic about the film. I'm quiet gung-ho about the Twilight ballyhoo. I saw video clips showing some teens screaming for the two lead stars. I also read about the initial box office success of the film. Twilight really bemused me for days. The Philippine release is 4 days behind from the US screening but it's not that late compared with the other territories. The film honestly didn't convert me. I was ready to fall in love with it but the hype totally irritates me. Something is half-bitten in the film.

Seventeen-year-old Isabella "Bella" Swan moves to the small town of Forks, Washington, to dwell with her father, Charlie. There, she finds herself drawn to a mystifying classmate, Edward Cullen, who is revealed to be a 125-year-old vampire, but is physically seventeen. Although Edward deters the romance at first, they soon fall deeply in love. When the arrival of three nomadic vampires, James, Laurent, and Victoria, puts Bella's life in danger, Edward and his family, Alice, Carlisle, Esme, Jasper, Emmett and Rosalie, put their lives at stake to save her.



I wish I could make a comparison between the adaptation screenplay and the novel. The story is truly charismatic I love the premise. The screenplay however lacks the oomph. The flow is kinda ho-hum and it makes the loquacious script a little somniferous. The good thing is that two main characters in the film Bella and Edward have developed a philia to my heart. I truly care about their love story. Their forbidden romance is magnifying. For me it's venial that the other Cullens are kept in the murky script. I assume they will be exposed to a direct moonlight in the next film called the New Moon. Something is really haunting about Forks. Imagine these vampires are living among the hoi polloi of this woody town? Just like wizards and witches in London? Hmmm.....



The chemistry between Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson is howling. They look good together and they really nail down the saccharine scenes in the film. Pattinson makes a perfect Edward. I heard girls giggling when he first appears on the screen. His acting is not that impressive but I think that's how a vampire delivers a line. It sounds poetic and thawing at the same time. Stewart as Bella is just amazing. I adore her now. I think I've seen all her movies but those weren't adequate to love her until Twilight comes to bite me and she is deeply fascinating now . Billy Burke who plays Bella's father is an eye-catching character. I find him so appealing. But Peter Facinelli's portrayal of Carlisle Cullen is more imploring. I think he's a scorching vampire. The antagonists in the film are briefly shown and it makes them not so odious. As what I've mentioned, the other Cullens are still mysterious in the film. I really wanna grab the novel now and know them better. I find Alice Cullen to be the coolest vampire ever.






Catherine Hardwicke is only a lucky director for this film. I love her last film called “The Nativity”. But Twilight is not a project fit for her. The film sometimes looks dirty and low-budgeted. The action scenes are poorly executed. They are unattractive and kinda lame. The make-up is also inconsistent and sometimes hilarous. The visual effects are just run-of-the- mill. It's like watching Clark Kent and Lana Lang again from the first season of Smallville. Although, I love the wood scenes with Ed & Bella because the cinematography is really exhilarating. Yeah, it's tempting to visit Forks sometimes. The soundtrack is definitely congruous because they songs are all youthful and gothic. Oh by the way, thanks to the production designer for showing the flag of the Philippines conspicuously at one scene. It makes me feel proud for a moment.



Twilight looks promising based on the hype. The film has a heart too. You'll delve for the wunderkind love story of Edward and Bella. Unfortunately, the style of the film is like a vampire's venom poisoning your veins. It's not that glossy and some scenes are too woody. It's just unsatisfying. The film is really vestigial and sad to say over-hyped. Actually, I'm still willing to drink the next blood of the franchise but Twilight is not really recommended for the uninitiated.

RATING : 3.5 / 5*

SPIFFY SHTUP

SEX AND THE CITY ( THE MOVIE)



Honestly, I'm not a fan of Sex and the City. I have never seen a single episode from any seasons of the series But when the news broke out last year about the shooting of the film, I was one of those excited moviegoers who eagerly wanted to watch this. Unfortunately, when I read last May that MTRCB brutally massacred this R-18 film in order to gain a Rated -13 in favor of the distributor . I believe that a huge film like this should be shown in SM Cinemas for a wider release and rake more money however I decided to skip the theatrical version. For months I have patiently waited for the DVD. Luckily, the anticipated video is now out and I've finally watched it. The gist​?! I became an instant fan and currently saving dough to buy all the seasons of Sex & the City TV series.



According to what I've read, the film is set four years after the events of the series finale. Carrie and Big are finally engaged. Miranda is having difficulty in equating her home, work, and social life , and confesses to the girls that she hasn’t had sex with Steve in six months. She is devastated when Steve reveals he has slept with another woman, and immediately separates from him. Samantha is living with Smith, who has a successful television career. They live in Los Angeles, where Samantha is finding it unmanageable to take time for herself. She is traveling oftentimes between L.A. and New York, and wrestling with her persistent desire for sex with other men;especially her good-looking and sexually brisk next-door-neighbor, Dante Charlotte is blessed in her marriage to Harry , with their adopted daughter, Lily.



The story is definitely a chick flick material. I'm a guy but I definitely like this. The script is fashionably nifty. I love the flow of the screenplay even if it's too lengthy. There are no dull moments in the film even if the scene is too loquacious. I'm not familiar with the characters but I can feel their complex personalities and I find them appealing in a different way. Samantha is my favorite character here. I definitely love Sam. She is simply funny and very erogenous. If she is part of a scene and Dante is around, my heart palpitates so fast coz I'm such a pervert like her (just kidding) and I love those hot erotic shtupping scenes she loves to fantasize. Carrie is quiet introspective but I love her taste. She is the fashionista.Charlotte is really sweet and optimistic. Miranda is strong but sometimes disheartened. I find Big so huge and intimidating. I don't know but Samantha's next door neighbor elicits me more. Whew!

The film is called Sex and the City. What do we expect in a Rated 18 film like this? Of course SEX!!! I'm so glad that I have the uncut DVD. I'm so pollyannaish right now that I didn't watch this last May. I don't want to feel cheated you know. The nookie scenes are scorching. It's stylish I must say but not as voguish as Lust,Caution from Ang Lee. Dante's frontal nudity is unexpected and I think it's a mirthful scene. Samantha's reaction is superb the way she ogles his wiener. I just can't stop from laughing.



Of the four, Sarah Jessica Parker is the best actress. She might nominated in the Golden Globe and hopefully the Oscars. Well, we really don't know. Surprisingly, Jennifer Hudson is a miscast and sad to say forgettable.



Sex & the City is totally fun. If you didn't catch this last Summer, well, watching this in winter is perfect too. You don't need a fireplace to warm up your cold nights, try this film with your swain and I guarantee that the Mercury will rise. I definitely love Sex and the City. This is a feel-good film. Rent the video now!

RATING : 5 /5 *

JAGGED LITTLE DAVID

DAVID ARCHULETA

THE DEBUT ALBUM

Finally, the wait is over. David Archuleta's debut album is now out in the market and I'm proud to say that this is best album I've bought since Jagged Little Pill from Alanis Morissette. I can't skip a song. I can't discard a track. I love all the songs. I shuffle them sometimes but the gist is still the same. The songs are weighed equal to me. They're great to listen from time to time and all of them are potential singles in the future. Prepare for Archudomination!!!!

The album is now on heavy rotation in my player. I bought the physical CD album. I don't have an account in I-Tunes yet coz I'm from the Philippines that's why I can't download the De Luxe album. There are bonus tracks in the De Luxe edition and I will try my best to purchase those tracks.

For the time being, I will review the 12 tracks featured in the regular CD album.

1 CRUSH – The first single and the #1 single. The song debuted at#2 in Billboard Hot 100 unfortunately did not peak at #1 but in other charts from various radio stations and music video channels all over the world especially the Philippines, Crush is a huge #1 HIT!!! I really love this song. It gave me goose bumps the first time I heard it. I still have the LSS when I hear it. This is the perfect debut single.

2 TOUCH MY HAND- According to Jive, this is the next single. Oh my GOD! Another #1 single in the making! Aside from Crush, this is my fav track in the album. The tempo is kinda upbeat and it's super catchy especially the chorus. The hook will be stuck in your head for days. LSS fever again.

3 BARRIERS – The intro reminds me of Tattoo by Jordin Sparks. Archie has a hiccup style on it but when he sings the chorus part you will appreciate the song This is the non-catchy song in the album I think but I won't even consider this as bad.

4 MY HANDS – Hmmm.. it sounds like Crush at the beginning mixed with the intro of Shooting Stars by the band Deepest Blue. This is also a fine track especially the chorus part where it's difficult to sing. Only Archie can deliver it that way.

5 A LITTLE NOT OVER YOU – Another “reminds me of that” song again. The intro again sounds like Anybody There by Andrea Corr. They are akin every time I listen to this song. That's for the intro and the first stanza only coz when Archie sings the chorus he really blows my mind. Great vocal and amazing control of his voice. The lyric is way too sad and he delivers it with pure emotion. This is one of the great tracks in the album. He co-wrote this song by the way.

6 YOU CAN- The song is too simple. It's acoustic and mellifluous. It's easy to sing along too. The song won't be attached in your mind instantly but it will grow on you eventually.

7 RUNNING – I love this straightaway. So contemporary. The vocal style is gorgeous when he sings the “running” part. He is terrific. The hook is indulgent.

8 DESPERATE – The saddest song in the album I think. He sings exceptional with a teary voice. I can really feel it. The song is not too catchy but you won't skip it anyway.

9 TO BE WITH YOU- The most moving and heartfelt song in the album. Too lachrymose.Archie will make you cry in this track. His voice is angelic and mesmerizing. The collaboration with Kara DioGuardi is definitely congruous. It's also fit to sing this song in the church.

10 DON'T LET GO – another “reminds me of that” song again. This song sounds like one of the tracks from “The Fray”. But this is a feel-good song. He also co-wrote this one. This is one of the songs that I'd like to be featured in Gossip Girls or Grey's Anatomy.

11 YOUR EYES DON'T LIE – The most astonishing song in the album ever! OMG, the intro is country-ish and the whistling just drives me crazy. But when Archie starts to sing his style reminds me of Jason Mraz. He can definitely sing the way Mr.AZ does. Archie is really gifted in this song. I love this one. Totally one of my top favs.

12 ANGELS – We heard him sang this during the AI7 Idol Gives Back Week. He was great there. In this polished remake he is just immaculate. Robbie Williams is a good singer but Archie's version is way much better. The is the perfect song to end the album. It reminds us that he is an American Idol contestant with a pure heart and loving soul.

David Archuleta's debut album is a must have. All his fans won't be disappointed. If you love “Crush” even if you're not a fan, you will be delighted to hear the other 11 tracks too. The songs are radio-friendly. His vocals are impeccable. The album is cohesive and totally cool!

RATING : 5/5*