Insightful, Hopeful - film

Movie Musicals

noreply@blogspirit.com (Ner Ris) — Fri, 18 Aug 2006 06:05:00 +0200

Two weeks ago, me and my sis watched the movie "High School Musical". I first heard this from Mimay, then I was surprised that my nephew Jonel asked me if I watched it. My sister and I were curious so we bought a DVD.

(warning: spoilers ahead)
It was a teenybopper movie, about a basketball captain ball who met a smart girl at a party, and they shared their love for singing on stage. They met again in school, the girl being a new student at the guy's school. The story evolved about the two of them auditioning for the school's musical. This created some conflict because the guy, being a basketball player, broke the stereotype by auditioning.
The movie was as expected, very light, but had some good lessons to share to youngsters. It tackles the pressure of being in high school, of belonging to a certain crowd. It encourage young people to be themselves, to pursue what they want despite of what other people say. This a lesson everyone should learn and apply.
My niece Janella also likes the film, and said she watches it when she comes home from school. My nephew and niece are movie freaks. If they like a certain film, they watch it over and over. The songs are good, adding to the appeal of the film. It is a Disney film, so the best is expected. I'm glad they have continued to create films for kids, which is their target audience, and for kids at heart as well.
I remembered in my time, their movies were cartoons with great soundtracks as well. My favorites of those being: Beauty and the Beast, Little Mermaid, Aladdin and Lion King.
My sis and I also knew the reason why my nephew liked the movie so much. Perhaps he can relate to it coz he likes basketball and singing. I do hope he would be able to do well in both, and enjoy it as much as Troy (the movie's leading role).
I love musicals in general, live musicals are quite expensive, good thing there are movie musicals I can watch over and over.

Fave Movie Themes

noreply@blogspirit.com (Ner Ris) — Sat, 18 Feb 2006 17:50:00 +0100

Inspired by Minh's* blog entry, I am listing my favorite movie themes here. For me, the music in a film, adds to its appeal and important in defining a story, and creating a beautiful scene. Too bad it is not utilized much in Filipino movies, perhaps one of the reasons why the Philippine movie industry is struggling.

Personally, I have liked movies because of it's catchy theme songs - "Change the World" (Phenomenon), "It Might Be You" (Tootsie), "A Whole New World" (Aladdin), to name a few. Here are the other songs I have loved that were used as movie themes:

American/International

"If I Never Knew You" (Pocahontas) - I have to confess, I haven't watched Pocahontas. But this song caught my attention when it was played on the radio. I was surprised when the DJ announced it was from the movie Pocahontas. Such lovely lyrics.

"Go the Distance" (Hercules) - I didn't get to appreciate the movie because I watched in on VHS and the copy I borrowed was so blurry. But the song is so moving because Michael Bolton sang it with so much emotion.

"Something There" (Beauty and the Beast) - This was played while Beast and Belle were throwing snowballs at each other and were started to feel something for each other. A true "kilig" moment. It's a very light song with a nice Christmassy intro.

"I Will Follow Him" (Sister Act) - This is just one of my favorite songs from the soundtrack. It is one of my favorite soundtracks of all time. Some good motown music with gospel songs that start slow and increases tempo at the middle. I didn't know it was called "Motown" back then, I just knew it was good music :)

"Looking Through the Eyes of Love" (Ice Castles) - One of the best songs I know. I even learned to play this piece on the piano (the one I learned was arranged for a beginner), that's how I loved it. Truly, a romantic melody.

"Theme from Color Purple" (Color Purple) - An instrumental piece. The movie stars Oprah. I do not own the original soundtrack but I heard this from a compilation album. Such a moving piece.

Filipino

"You Are My Song" (Wanted: Perfect Mother) - The movie was fun, but is not one of my favorites. The song, however, is one of those I don't mind hearing over and over again.

"Kailangan Kita" (from the movie of the same title) - This song for me is applicable to all kinds of all, most especially the Unconditional love from above.

"Pangarap na Bituin" (Bukas Luluhod ang Mga Tala) - Ok, I didn't like it upon watching Sharon Cuneta's movie, maybe because I was still too young then, but I appreciated it because it is played as the theme of the Korean drama "Jewel in the Palace". It's a very inspiring song, full of hope, that dreams can come true.

Other songs include Rainbow (Crying Ladies) and Reflections (Mulan) which I posted some time ago here. I actually mentioned "If I Never Knew You" in that post too, but I like the song too much that I don't mind posting it twice :)

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*I don't really know Minh personally, but his blog is one of those I read. We have the same interest - computers and music, the type of music I like. In a way he's sort of my internet "crush", I can't think of any other way to describe it. Maybe because he's such an achiever and he is nationalistic (to Vietnam), in a way that I hope many Filipinos should be.

From One Hunk to Another

noreply@blogspirit.com (Ner Ris) — Wed, 23 Nov 2005 16:58:01 +0100

Since my last blog entry about Sam Milby, here's another hunk on the loose.

Just watched Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire last Saturday with my pamangkins. Aside from the thrill of watching the movie, an added bonus was the hunky Cedric Diggory played by newbie actor Robert Pattinson. Too bad he won't appear on other HP movies coz (spoiler alert) Cedric died in the movie. Well I do hope he gets to appear in more movies, though British movies don't usually reach Philippine shores. Perhaps I'll just buy the HP-GoF DVD and watch it over and over.