Office Poem

I love the Office very much. I started out watching the US version, and i just recently watched the UK version. Both are brilliant, with their own unique style. And this is the one of the funniest moment of The Office UK, where David Brent, the socially inept office manager, read his own poem to his secretary, Dawn;

'EXCALIBUR' by David Brent I froze your tears and made a dagger, and stabbed it in my cock forever. It stays there like Excalibur, Are you my Arthur? Say you are. Take this cool dark steeled blade, Steal it, sheath it, in your lake. I’d drown with you to be together. Must you breathe? Cos I need Heaven I literally rolling on the floor laughing after he read his poem with such seriousness and intensity. Only one thing that comes to my mind after that, Ricky Gervais is a genius. Bloody genius.

The Dark Knight Returns

I must warn you before continue reading, you may find the following review to be exaggerated, or hyperbolic, but believe it or not, it's the only way possible to describe how great this movie really is. The film itself carries a heavy burden due to the magnificent viral marketing throughout the year, and the success of other superhero movies like Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk, and Hellboy II. So, does it live up to the expectations? Hell yeah. I must warn you, though, this isn't your ordinary comic book movie. It sure doesn't feel like it. The Dark Knight is the anti-thesis of Iron Man, or Spiderman.

First, and foremost, The Dark Knight is a crime drama. The kind of crime drama that has the same tone as The Departed, or Heat. Secondly, it's not solely focusing on the hero, but rather to the whole cast. This is the main strength of the movie. The cast, that consists of Christian Bale, Aaron Eckhart, Heath Ledger, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Gary Oldman and Michael Caine, have done a superb job in their role. Bale is undeniably the best Batman of all. He manage to capture the billionaire playboy in Bruce Wayne and added some scary intimidation vibe for his alter ego, Batman. The always reliable Gary Oldman shows his versatility as he resumes his role as Lt. James Gordon. Gordon has been a big part in Batman's tale of saving his city, a fact that has been ignored on the early 4 Batman films. It's really enjoyable to see Gordon got the proper amount of screen time to make us care about his character. Aaron Eckhart is on top of his game with his scarily moving character, Harvey Dent/Two face. He owns the character. I think his brilliant performance is only overshadowed by the terrific Heath Ledger. And i am so relieved to get Maggie Gyllenhaal instead of Katie Holmes-Cruise (is that what they really call her these days?). Gyllenhaal is easily twice the actress Katie Holmes will ever be.

Of course, the most talked subject in the movie is Heath Ledger's Joker. You may see Jack Nicholson's Joker back in the first movie and thought that he was the perfect Joker. To me, Nicholson's Joker isn't the real Joker that has been written for so many years in the comic book. His Joker is more of a failed comedian rather than a mentally crippled mass murderer with no code or whatsoever. Ledger cleverly modeled his Joker as the combination of Alex from A Clockwork Orange, and John Doe from Se7en. That is the first time i'm seeing the character alive. He manipulates, plans, and never once hesitate to kill everyone in front of him. This is the definitive Joker, and Ledger delivered the character perfectly. His presence will be sorely missed. If Nicholson managed to get an Oscar nomination when he played Joker in the first film, Ledger should win it.

Christopher Nolan has never failed to deliver a great story to audience with with the perfect execution. He dare to question the morality of the actions that is taken by Batman, Dent, and Gordon, something that is often left out by other superhero movie. This question haunts the movie until the very end. An end that ultimately answer the question, as Batman did the most heroic act no other superhero has ever done. In terms of action scenes, it's a relieve that the action scenes uses as little CGI as possible. I'm getting tired of action films that relied heavily on CGI (I'm talking to you, Michael Bay!). As a result, the action scenes looks very realistic, believable and superbly crafted.

All that being said, The Dark Knight will not only be the best superhero movie ever, but also possibly one of the best film of the decade. Iron Man, and Spiderman 2 may be the definitive superhero film, but The Dark Knight is not just another superhero film, it's a superhero epic. It's the first Oscar worthy superhero film, it's the Godfather of superhero films, it's the Empire Strikes Back of all Batman films. And, in my own case, this is easily the best movie of 2008 so far.


*this is attempt number 42 in reviewing this film. I had a hard time putting the words altogether. But hey, like the Joker said, "Why so serious?" right?

Random mumbo-jumbo

Semester break is coming to an end and, once again, i found myself pondering on what i achieved during the so-called-relaxing-break. My pre-break plan was to finish Chabon's The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Klay, fix my TV's antenna, fix ,or try to call someone to fix my leaking washing machine, and ultimately, finish this story pitch that i've had for years. I thought three weeks are enough to complete those tasks. Oh, how very naive of me.

Three weeks later, and I've done none of those tasks. I abandon Kavalier and Clay, only to pick up Jack Kerouac's On The Road (which i still read to this very second). My laptop failed me, which also means the story that i've written vanishes magically, and i've forgotten all about the household repairing that i was supposed to do. The inability to perform the simplest of task has been a problem of mine for quite some time. Although i always refused to admit it. I'd like to think the universe has a unique way to conspire against anything that i want to do. In other word, i blame the universe.

However, the three week hibernation has also filled me with some thoughts, and ideas. Well, just for fun, i'm gonna say it all out loud;

i have a twisted state of mind, which is mainly caused by the constant day dreaming, the over exposure of various comic books, films, and numerous tv series.
Arrested Development is so darn funny, it actually surpasses The Office at some point.
The world would be a better place if there's Amelie Poulain on the corner of every street.
I wanna grow old like Woody Allen
I think time travel is possible, whether it's via wormhole, cosmic strings, or a simple faster than light travel.
I think vampires are cool.
I believe we do not live alone in the universe.
but then again,
I am neither fair, nor balanced.
believe what you want to believe.

Enough mumbling for today. Please do not take everything that i said seriously. I'm gonna leave you the funniest quote i've heard for quite sometime, courtesy of Dr. Tobias Funke.

"You're forgetting, Lindsay, that as a psychiatrist, I was a professional twice over - an analyst and a therapist. The world's first 'Analrapist'"

It's Happening, Shyamalan.

Critics everywhere are bashing M.Night Shyamalan's new film, The Happening. Shyamalan, who started to gain popularity after his successful The Sixth Sense, and Unbreakable, are the target of these so-called critics. He has received some negative reviews ever since his film back in 2004, The Village. Personally, i think he is a talented director. I loved Signs, and i like The Sixth Sense, Unbreakable, and even The Village. People may bashed him for the latter, but i still like it. I like how he built the suspense and i don't have a problem with the ending. As for Lady in The Water, i think it was a decent story with poor execution. So, how about The Happening?

The Happening is a film about how north east America got hit by a mysterious environmental event that causes everyone who is infected to kill themselves. The story itself focuses on a Philadelphia high school teacher, Elliott Moore, his wife, Alma, and his friend's daughter, Jess who tried to run away from this event. The movie has similar vibe of Signs, only this one falls below the quality of its predecessor. The early first scenes were very effective to introduce the plot. It's disturbing, and scary at the same time. Then we were introduced to the main character, Elliot (played by Mark Wahlberg), and we were showed that he is having trouble with his marriage.

This is where it went wrong for Shyamalan. Rather than focus on the background of the internal problem of Elliott and his wife, he added many unnecessary subplots. John Leguizamo's subplot was completely wasted. He went off in the middle of the movie to find his wife, and ends up dead in the next minute. Such a waste of a particularly good actor. Mrs. Jones character that is introduced late in the film is creepy, but she's not really connected to the main story. Also, the marriage problem between Elliott and Alma is not explored enough to develop their characters. The dialogue between them did not help to further explain the plot or resolve their problems. And ultimately, the ending is weak. The film should have ended with Elliott and Alma separated in Mrs. Jones's house. I think it would be effective for the movie to end at the moment when both character has found what has been lost between them. In this case, their marriage.

Shyamalan's script is undercooked. The first half was okay, but he either did not know how to end his story, or he was just lazy to write a meaningful second half. Mark Wahlberg is seriously miscast in this. He is an actor capable of doing a bad ass character like his character in The Departed. But as a high school teacher with little dose of bad ass-ness? I don't think so. Zooey Deschanel, my personal favorite actress, still showed her undeniable charm, but again, the lack of good direction made her performance falls flat and stilted.

All that being said, i still think the movie is entertaining. It is not, by any means, a good movie. But it had it moments and certainly doesn't deserve all the bashing it received. For me, the movie has a subtle way of showing how man will react in the manner of surviving. The story itself diverted into a goofy thriller that still managed to deliver suspense and twitching scares, particularly through the use of landscape as the medium for the suspense. The characters were given time to look within themselves and reflect upon their actions. The pace is also well maintained, and doesn't fall into a typical cliche disaster movie such as The Day After Tomorrow, or Armageddon. James Newton Howard's score was as good as ever. It reminds me of the late Bernard Herrmann's score in a Hitchcock film.

Shyamalan has been performing below par for a couple of years now. What was thought to be the promising director that could be the next Alfred Hitchcock has gone. Let's just hope that he's not gone for good. He got to find his niche, and regain the reputation that he once has. I still have faith in this guy, I know a lot of people still have. Now, it's up to him to repay all that faith.

The Man Behind the Iron Mask

After so many superhero movies ever produced, i only managed to pick four of them that i really think could translate the actual comic to a big screen medium. They are Superman: The Movie back in '78, X2: X-men United in 2003, Spiderman 2 in 2004, and Batman Begins in 2005. Superman basically creates a blue print of how to make a superhero movie, while x2 proved that a superhero team movie with so many characters still could end up to be great. As for Spiderman 2, and Batman Begins, they are two completely great superhero movie, with the opposite way of story telling. Spiderman was more colorful, and action packed, while Batman was darker, and more realistic. However, the four of them has something in common: They had heart, and great characterization. So, this would bring us to the main topic, will Iron Man stand up to those movies i mentioned above. The answer is YES. Very much YES.

Iron Man is the perfect example of a superhero movie which respect its original material, and turned it into something way much cooler. Anyone who doubt Jon Favreau capability to direct this movie can just get their ass kicked (yes, i got my ass kicked). He made all the right decisions in making the movie. He cast the dead perfect Robert Downey jr as Tony Stark. Stark is one of the biggest brain in the planet, an alcoholic, and a womanizer at the same time. Downey have had some of those problems in the real life before. That's what made him perfect for the role. He also made Tony Stark character funnier, with his perfect timing of comedic punch lines. The rest of the supporting cast like Terence Howard, as Stark's best friend Jim Rhodes, Gwyneth Paltrow as the reliable assistant, Pepper Potts, and Jeff Bridges as the main villain Obadiah Stane was all superb in their respective roles.

In terms of special effects, and costume design, Iron Man will satisfy you. No, let me rephrase that, it will blow you away. The combination between Adi Granov suit, Stan Winston design, and all of the effects from ILM resulted in a stunning visual representation for the eyes. But, above all, the strength of this movie lies in the character Tony Stark itself. Started as a super rich, naive, douche bag, he began to find his real cause of life after being held hostage in Afghanistan. His relationship with fellow prisoner, Yinsen, who was played by Shaun Toub, is the defining moment to the birth of Iron Man.Their relationship was genuinely established to evolve Tony Stark's personality. After that, it's all lock and loaded full throttle action from the Iron Man himself.

The only thing that i found disappointing is the score. Throughout the movie we didn't get that heroic score to accompany our hero's adventure. Hans Zimmer's score is weak, and couldn't drive viewer's emotion in any way. I guess Favreau should have gone to Danny Elfman, or even John Williams to make this movie more epic. That said, this movie is still superbly crafted.

Iron Man will satisfy those people who demanded pure summer blockbuster movie, and also the-hard-to-be-pleased fanboys. Fanboys will get excited by the inclusion of S.H.I.E.L.D in the movie, and of course, the appearance of Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury, director of S.H.I.E.L.D after the end credits. I think i soiled myself when he delivered the last line of the movie, "I'm here to talk about the Avengers initiative". Even more geek goodness in the next two years!!

until next time,
be kind, rewind.

The Inspirational Journey

I have just recently watched Into The Wild, a film by Sean Penn, which told the real life journey of 23 year old Christopher McCandless, who left his home to travel across the country and live in the wild. Without giving you much of the film, i just want to say that this movie is really, really inspirational. I don't know what is it about me that always somewhat amazed by the idea of going on a journey or a road trip alone, and for some time just disconnected to the world you live in, and the society you're in now.

I can't help but noticing that McCandless is just one of the product of modern society, he did what his parents told him to, he went to college, graduate, and possibly looking for a job afterwards. This is exactly what we are told to do, i mean "we" in the context of young people who are finishing their latter stage of education. I can see myself doing that in the next 2 years. Probably i'll be doing some boring job behind the desk in a couple of years from now, and rot slowly behind that desk for the next 3 or 4 decades. This is what McCandless see, but the difference is, he did something about it. He didn't want to spend his life worrying about making money, or do as he told, he simply want to explore the world and blend with nature. He didn't really like being at home, his parents are not the best parents in the world, so he wanted to get out of his life and do something new in his life.

What i envy about McCandless is that he was brave enough to leave everything he had behind, and just living his dreams. Doing what he wanted to do. I wish i have the courage to do that. I really wanted to do something like that. Just cut yourself from the world you know for some time, and live your dreams. McCandless has opened my eyes, and maybe a lot of people's eyes, that there is so much more in this world that you can see and do. I read in a couple of forums around the internet that mentioned McCandless was a fool to try live by himself in Alaskan forest, and that he died because of his own idiotic behaviour. I guess a lot of people kinda missed the point here. McCandless was living the life he wanted, He knew what the consequences are, but he is also a human being who made mistakes. It is our responsibility to learn from his experience and make the best of it.

I've been wanting to do some kind of soul searching road trip for quite a while now, and after seeing what McCandless did, I've become more motivated to do that. Someday, i promise myself.


"So many people live within unhappy circumstances and yet will not take the initiative to change their situation because they are conditioned to a life of security, conformity, and conservatism, all of which may appear to give one peace of mind, but in reality nothing is more dangerous to the adventurous spirit within a man than a secure future. The very basic core of a man’s living spirit is his passion for adventure. The joy of life comes from our encounters with new experiences, and hence there is no greather joy than to have an endlessly changing horizon, for each day to have a new and different sun." -- Chris McCandless

Rest in peace, Christopher J. McCandless

Weekly Recap

Entering the first week of March, let me tell you what's happening in my world. No, i'm not gonna whine about how my life's going right now. You've gone to the wrong blog if you think i'm gonna write some diary stuff here.

MUSIC
I've been listening to some new albums these couple of weeks. I'm quite surprise of how good they turned out to be. Not all of them are new releases, some of them were out last year. So, here they are :

The New Pornographers - Challengers (Key tracks: My rights versus yours, challengers)
Rilo Kiley - Under The Blacklight (key tracks: Silver lining, Moneymaker)
Bright Eyes - Cassadaga (Key tracks: Four winds)

New Pornographers are surprisingly great. I like their sound and their lyrics. The album are possibly one of the best of 2007. Rilo Kiley's newest album is more dance-y and has more beat than their previous record. They really explore new areas of music that they haven't touched before, and it turns out to be a good thing. As for Bright Eyes, i still prefer their I'm wide awake it's morning album, but this album was not bad. For you who like indie/pop/folk combination like me, this is the album for you. I am also anxious to hear the new Death Cab For Cutie album, titled Narrow Stairs, that will come out sometime this year. I'm sure that will be a great album, or at least a good album.

MOVIE
I didn't watch many new movies this week. Only a couple of old dvds that i rented a couple of days ago. Those movie were Spartan, Jerry Maguire, and Before Sunset. I must say, i am really impressed with Before Sunset. This movie picks up the spirit, warmth, and smartness of its prequel, Before Sunrise. I found myself smiling all over the film. I just feel that this is how a romantic comedies should be made. It's the sparks between the actors, the chemistry, and the great dialogue that made the movie so sweet. I truly believe that Before Sunset is one of my favorite romantic comedies ever.

This week i also found myself idolizing a certain director. I realized that i wanted to be like him. His films are all great, and always left me somewhat amazed by its beauty. I proudly present my favorite director, Paul Thomas Anderson.


for you who did not know who he is, he's the director of Boogie Nights, Magnolia, Punch-drunk Love, and There Will be Blood. It's a bit sad that he didn't won the best director award at the Oscar a couple of days ago. I think he deserved it. But hell, Scorsese didn't win it until last year. So why bother? He is a true great director. He'll get it someday.

And another great news is my favorite actress, Zooey Deschanel, is going to star in a comedy movie with Paul Dano (There Will be Blood, Little Miss Sunshine) called Gigantic. I am very excited by the prospect of the two working together. Dano showed great potential to be a big star, and Deschanel will always be my favorite actress. Oh, and this month will also marks her debut in music, with the long awaited release of her album with M.Ward, by the name of She & Him. I'm looking forward for that album. M. Ward is a well known indie musician/producer, and Zooey Deschanel is an awesome singer. They are on the cover of Under the Radar magazine for the winter edition;



Wow, it looks like she's going to compete with Jenny Lewis for the new indie queen darling. If Jenny Lewis and Zooey Deschanel are going to be on the same stage together, i think my indie geek dream will finally come true.