Crack the Shutters

You cool your bed-warm hands down

On the broken radiator,

And when you laid them freezin' on me,

A mumble can you wake me later.

But I don't really want you to stop,

And you know it so it doesn't stop you,

And runs you hands from my neck to my chest.

Crack the shutters open wide I want to bathe you in the light of day,

And just watch you as the rays tangle up around you face and body.

I could sit for hours finding new ways to be odd each minute,

Cause the daylight seems to want you just as much as I want you.

It's been minutes it's been days.

It's been all I will remember,

Happy lost in your hair

And the cold side of the pillow.

Your hills and valleys,

Are mapped by my intrepid fingers;

And in a naked slumber, I dream of this again.

Crack the shutters open wide I want to bathe you in the light of day,

And just watch you as the rays tangle up around you face and body.

I could sit for hours finding new ways to be odd each minute,

Cause the daylight seems to want you just as much as I want you.

Notes:

This song perfectly describes what a guy feels when he's madly in love. This song goes to someone who has successfully made me crazy in love, with all the ups and downs.

Welcome to District-9, your 'friendly' neighborhood!

My oh my, I didn't see it coming. District-9 was quite 'humble' not to put so many ads along with other blockbuster summer movies, but with so many interest gained, especially after some viral marketing and lots of positive feedbacks, many claims that this is the one of the best movie of its genre. When we are fed up with bad big budget movies with overrated CGI, its over the top budget, and last but not least lame storyline, DISTRICT-9 offers us something really fresh, a truly and remarkable unique experience of how enjoying a sci-fi movie (which often neglected by common audiences, unless you're a damn geek). Once again, Peter Jackson as producer, gives us another masterpiece of its kind.

PLOT

As a whole, the movie is divided into 2 chapters, the first part is a kinda semi-documentary, where it explains the origins of the alien mother ship who is accidentally stuck in the Johannesburg sky. After 20 years, the aliens live side by side with humans, since their mother ship was broken down, and nothing can be done about it, since the important component of it was missing. Since then, the aliens (prawns, how the people named them) creates a slum and do illegal trading with the Nigerians, within the area which later called DISTRICT - 9. Similar with the apartheid era (that's why Johannesburg was chosen), the discrimination attitude toward the aliens are worsen. No aliens are allowed to enter the inner city, their district is heavily guarded, becomes a militarization zone. To handle the hectic situation, the government create a MNU (Multi-National United), a private company which specializes in weapons research and security subcontracting where its sole objective is to watch and take care the District-9 issue. Apparently, MNU is planning to relocate the whole prawns into District 10, a more remote are, where it can also be referred to a 'concentration camp.

Hi, I'm Wikus bla bla bla, please sign this and get out!

An MNU officer, named Wikus van der Merwe (played brilliantly by an unknown actor Sharlto Copley), was assigned to handle the relocation task, which apparently, uses lots of force and manipulation tactics. Wikus is just an ordinary guy, has a beautiful wife, and just given a handful task by his father in-law, who happens to be the head of MNU. During the relocation and raid process, he found a strange canister within one of the prawns' house (named Christopher Johnson), where it accidentally sprayed some liquids to his face. Time after time, he becomes sick and something strange is going on inside his body. Then, he becomes the conflict of interest, between the MNU and the prawns, and this poor guy has to endure many things which he can't imagine before, just like U2's song, 'Stuck in the moment, and you can't get out of it'. Well, I'll leave the rest for you to watch, but mark my words...the second part of the movie...will blow your mind (yes, and you'll see lots of things blowing up literally).

One big giant robot who do has lost of f*ckin' amazing weapons

REVIEW

What surprise me is that the movie is tend to be serious, as it's really happen in our own backyard. The documentary style of the movie reminds us a lot of J.J. Abrams Cloverfield, which adds the realism of the story. All the unknown actors are brilliant, much better than any movie you see for the whole summer, and the plus thing, we've never seen them before, which kinda makes them like real people in the real situation. The discrimination issue is a parallel story of the real apartheid during the 1960's in South Africa, where all the blacks were residing in District-6. Not to mention, the slums potrayed in the movie, was actually a REAL slum in the present day, and it's just been evicted, well so much for potraying reality, huh?

And to satisfy us, the second part of the movie is full of non-stop actions, with lots of alien's weaponry, which blows us apart (and the enemy too, in million pieces). I warned you, those who can't stand see body parts missing, limbs spattered, finger's chopped, etc, better get your plastic bag ready. This is the kind of action scenes that I've wanted, not with CGI blood, or like a cartoonish one. The way Neill Blomkamp direct these scenes is truly amazing and thrilling. I think the future action movie should take a look how he did it with D-9. Somehow, with only $30M budget, Blomkamp with Jackson (not to forget WETA, his company who made Lord of The Rings visual effect) managed to come up with a magnificent visual imagery (and much MORE convincing that TF2 or GI JOE).

Bottom line, D-9 is truly an original movie, not just an ordinary sci-fi movie, but it is also a drama with deep characterization of how person can endure an extraordinary condition within the beyond-extraordinary situation. At it’s core, this film is many things. It’s not just a sci-fi action film. It has some serious undertones from oppression and intolerant to the evil things that man is capable of. What makes it more satisfying, the ending is open to a highly anticipated sequel (better check it by yourself). In the end, this is a really must must must must see movie of the year. It's already in my top 3, after UP and Star Trek.

My Rating : 9/10

Good afternoon. Are you in need of any assistance today, sir?

I'm listening to track#3 from UP soundtrack, "Married Life". This song just represents nicely what UP got to offer, the sadness, exciting, happiness, and beauty. UP so far is my favorite movie of the year, and it's Pixar at its best. It's original, it's touching, and it made me cry (man, just watching the first 15 minutes and re-listening to the soundtrack already tore down my cry-barrier). The opening scene where it reveals the story how Karl meet Ellie and their marriage life, accompanied only by a wonderful music with no dialog at all, is the most touching scene ever in a movie. You get all the idea where their life was so happy, with the ups and downs, they complete and encourage each other. It's the reality, the painful one, when one of them had to go away, how the other one can cope with his life. It's a basic human story, where every beautiful beginning must have an ending. In this case, Karl Fredricksen has to live with it.

He becomes a different person, just like every other old men, grumpy. What's worst, his environment where new buildings are erected, has become his other nightmare during the daytime. Then he met Russell, a wilderness explorer, who just came by to ask whether Karl needs any help. This segment opens a new chapter of Karl's life.

After some inconvenient incident, Karl was forced to move out from the house. Sad and felt helpless, accidentally he found Ellie's old diary, where she had planned to fill the last chapters when she had reached the Paradise Falls, the dream land where it has been the last resting place since she's was little. In order to fulfill his beloved wife's dream, Karl starts an adventure, to search for the Paradise Falls, and put the house there, so Karl can spend the rest of his days together with the beloved house, along with Ellie's memory. Using the balloons to lift UP his house, embarks to find the Paradise Falls, and accidentally, brings Russell with him.

Once again, Pixar lives up the hype, beyond our expectation. It's like every each year, they always comes up with new standard of story telling. I thought Wall-E was their top notch production, but somehow, UP managed to be better, (damn, give 'em an OSCAR already for best picture). It's not all about sensory bombardment and volume, it's a perfect family movie, and also for couples, not just for kids. It's love story at its best, it has valuable lessons about friendships, and it teaches us to not give up achieving our dreams.

just like Russell said, "But it's a TALKING dog!"

All the cast played their role perfectly, especially Russell who seems to be the star of the movie. The voice acting is natural as any kids in his age. His enthusiasm and curiosity along with his friendly habits, is well done played. And if you see the cast list, I only recognize Christopher Plummer and Delroy Lindo, and don't know whatsoever for the remaining cast. It has always a Pixar trademark, that they prefer to spend the budget on the story and the perfect visualization rather to pay A-class actors/actresses (DREAMWORKS, are you reading this???). We only got several characters, not to many (except for the dogs), but all of them managed to deliver us a wonderful crafted Disney movie.

There are so many things I would like to write about UP, I have promoted this movie to all people I met, and asked them to bring the whole family to be a part of a wonderful experience (my mum and dad enjoyed it a lot). It's nice to see this kind of flick, and it's worth to rewatch over and over again. Damn, I can't wait to see the next Pixar project. Play the below audio clip to re-charm your memories again with the wonderful experience of UP.

My Rating: 10/10

What'd you say your unit was called?

After seeing how Transformers 2 didn't live up the hype and utterly dissapointing (every time I watch a better movie each week, the more I felt that TF 2 is kinda sucks), I hold on my nerve to catch this other Hasbro product. But, since Snake Eyes is so damn cool in the trailer, I thought, oh well, at least it should be entertaining, mind the story. In the end, well...it's not as bad as I thought it would be !!! Although the story is dumb, the dialogues are even dumber, G.I. Joe didn't dissapoint me, and to tell u the truth, I enjoy the whole 120 minutes full of mindless and dumb action scenes.

But once again, you don't expect a Schindler's List quality or Saving Private Ryan kinda movie on this one, rite? Guys, this is a movie based on toys!!! How serious it's gonna be anyway?

The story is quite predictable, a group of terrorist creates super nano-technology warhead missiles which can destroy Eiffel Tower like ants eating up the giant cakes. And that's not the only 'super cool weapon' in the movie, you'll see lots of other nasty weaponry which I guarantee you haven't seen in other movies (of course you haven't, it's G.I. JOE for heaven's sake, it has more bullshits than James Bond). Then, the super troopers of G.I Joes get the mission to eliminate the threat, with their based hidden below the Pyramid (boringggg....TF2 has booked the place already, Sommers!!!). The new recruits, Duke (Channing Tatum) and Ripcord (Marlon Wayans) are eager to take revenge of the Cobras, since their batallion just got ambushed by super sexy Baroness (Sienna Miller), which happens to be Duke long lost love (how cliche). Along with other Joes, General Hawk (Dennis Quaid), Heavy Duty, Snake Eyes, Breaker and Scarlett (she's hot), they plan to stop the enemy and save the world !!! (sounds familiar??)

Although you think this can be as ugly as it can get, nevertheless, if you happen to:

1. watch the old cartoon movies, (check)

2. love The Mummy series, (check)

3. have some fetish of tightleather soldiers and Sienna Miller's ass, (hmm, kinda)

4. full action and shooting here and there where everyone landed on their heads first, (I'm in!)

5. admire Snake Eyes, (adorable!!)

Then, this is your guilty pleasure !!!

There are so many characters in here, but overall, I felt that the bad guys get more story line than the Joes. We are given the history of the Baroness (her past relationship with Duke), Storm Shadows (his long time rivalry with Snake Eyes), and the main enemy, which I'm not gonna givew any spoilers.. I didn't know anything about the Joes, apart from Duke and Snake, and all I know that each of them got their own super ability.

From all the cast, I think Tatum is too young to become Duke, Eccleston is quite nasty as Destro, Miller is surprisingly hot with his American accent, and Nichols also joins the hot group (don't miss the cat fight between them !!!). The Korean guy is okay, although I think ninja shouldn't open his mask, right? Ray Park as Snake Eyes? Well, they should make his own story!!! Quaid didn't get to much screen time, and he only punch once, and got sliced once, and that's all he gets, apart from saying "C'mon JOEs" so many times !!!

Surprisingly, Stephen Sommers is able to put some twist plot line, and even the ending is giving a high probability of a sequel, with most of the characters will come back for sure. So, it's not bad, it's entertaining, and I'm not bored. But still, they should get a new scripwriter for the sequel, cause the lines are ridicilous !!!

My Ratings : 7/10

Charity Shield, Man Utd 2 - Chelsea 2 (P)

As my friend described the match, he said...Chelsea won by an elbow. I believe so, the 2nd goal by lampard was catalyzed by the elbow event on Evra, which started the counter attack by Drogba, and ended in 2-1 score. United fought well till the end, with Rooney scored the equalizer at injury time. But, nevertheless, Chelsea won the penalty shoot-out with Cech in great form. Lesson learned, never miss on the 1st penalty (remember the Everton penalty shoot out?). In the end, Ancelotti can taste his first English competitive match victory, welcome !!!

United's starting linea up was quite predictable, with the new signings were sitting at the bench, which is not surprising, since Fergie wants to put the experienced starters. With O'Shea on the right, Evra left, and Rio with Evans as the center back, and Nani as the left winger and Park on the opposite side, combined with Carrick and Fletcher as midfielders. In front, Rooney and Berba led the attack.

On 1st half, I think this formation was working well, with Park occassionally played as striker, and Berba fell back to 2nd striker. Rooney, on the other hand, didn't have something special, well, at least until the injury time goal, where he finally can free from the tight marking. Fletch also did a great job to silence Lampard on the first half (realized that we missed him so much at Rome). Nani showed that he also got quality and he proved it with a goal and couple of good runnings.

But, on the other hand, the weakest link was Foster. I remember when he made the blunder in KL, and suddenly the same thing happened again, although the mistake was not as foolish as I mentioned before. But, I think he's out of focus, and sometimes showed uncertainty in making choices. The 1st goal by Chelsea mostly caused by the Foster, where he didn't strongly punch the ball out, and left Carvalho with a free header. He often made poor clearances and simple back pass. But, I guess the presence of Drogba added another element.

Yes, I believe Drogba has come back to 100% fitness. His presence and movements is really dangerous, and he's strong as a bull. I don't think Rio and Evans can do much againts him (we need Vidic!), and sometimes Fletch or Carrick has to go back to mark him. Ancelotti's diamond formation didn't work so well in the 1st half, I guess, since United could pick some holes in the defence, and with Lampard and Anelka didn't do well.

The match was quite even until Ballack came into the field, and started to mock around the midfield. The incident with Evra was controversial, and the counter attack was nicely done, although Foster managed to get a hand on the ball, but Lampard's power was too overwhelmed.

Valencia didn't have much to show, while Ferge surprisingly put another 4 subtitutes (Owen, Fabio, Scholes, and Giggs). Owen didn't have much chances, Fabio created good running from the right, with Giggs provide the assist for the Rooney's goal.

Oh well, in the end, it was a good match, and remember it's still pre-season, and these teams show a tremendous quality, as if they are fighting for 3 points. Love the enthusiasm. Can't wait for the new season starts !!!

Listen, we f*cked up. We lost Doug!

What a hilarious comedy flick!!! The HANGOVER managed to give me lots of laugh, from beginning to end. Thanks to the power of the trio Zach Galifianakis, Ed Helms and Bradley Cooper, I guess this is the funniest comedy I've seen in several years. It has a good story line, great cast, funny jokes, boobs, little chinese d*ck, mike tyson, and a tiger. I won't spoil too much plot line, it's better for you all to see the movie with least infos and spoiler.

SYNOPSIS

Two days before his wedding, Doug and his three friends drive to Las Vegas for a blow-out bachelor party they'll never forget. But, in fact, when the three groomsmen wake up the next morning, they can't remember a thing. For some reason, they find a tiger in the bathroom and a six-month-old baby in the closet of their suite at Caesars Palace. The one thing they can't find is Doug. With no clue as to what transpired and little time to spare, the trio must retrace their hazy steps and all their bad decisions in order to figure out where things went wrong and hopefully get Doug back to L.A. in time to walk down the aisle.

REVIEW

The good thing about this movie is that as soon Doug is lost, we can't predict what will come up next, and believe me, it's really funny and hilarious to see fit all the pieces together. What keeps me entertained all the time is that every different scene always comes up with something fresh, so you won't get bored. Like after the tiger scene, you got baby, then you got hospital, chapel, hooker, Leslie Chow, and so on and on.

So long, gay boys....

I've lost count of the profanities used (yes, f-word in almost every scene). Some of the jokes may sound offensive, but I believe it's blended perfectly. Nevertheless, I guess the HANGOVER is not just a guy's movie, chicks will also like it (well, apart from the cool Bradley Cooper). Mike Tyson also had his part here, which amazingly, quite funny, and the singing, oh my. The mob boss, Leslie Chow (Ken Jeong), can become a distraction, or even stealing the scenes, especially his terrible gayish sound (somehow, I felt he is WAY over the top on the characterization). Last but not least, Heather Graham is super hot. I know she's not young anymore, but still, her role as the stripper brings more color and hotness to the storyline. It's nice to see every time she pops out.

The Hangover is the sleeper comedy hit of 2009, and, more likely, a cult flick in the years to come. It's more deserving of such acknowledgment than many recent successes, and while we may live in an era saturated with unnecessary sequels, I'm sure we'll see the sequel in the future.

My Rating : 8.5/10