Kung Fu Panda 2-after a month since I watched it, oh dear.

I should have really done this like, the moment I saw it. Because procrastination pretty much got in the way of this. Naturally. When I first watched Kung Fu Panda 2, but shortly after-in fact it was the next day I was assaulted by Pirates of the Caribbean 4. I still love Johnny Depp, but evidently not the show. I actually think Geoffrey Rush was great as well! But I will leave that for another time.

Firstly, I will say that I wasn’t aware that KP 2 was even legit until I saw posters of it a month ago before its release. But now, it’s decorating my desktop wall in all its finesse so, what gives? I love animals, particularly when they can dish out some mean kung fu. And (drum roll) this sequel was one of the few gems that broke the dreaded sequel curse, turning out just as good as the first one.

Guys, this is how you make movies. Sequels, in particular.

The most important question in KP1 was finally brought to light-about time because I was still wondering about it. It is the odd and somehow-went-unnoticed-fact that Po the panda is adopted by a goose. So that sort of became the baseline for this movie, and also introduced us to the movie’s main antagonist, an albino peacock. Voiced by Gary Oldman, the peacock is the epitome of cool. Watch him in action. I guarantee. He just wins every scene he is in.

The Furious Five got slightly more screen time than before-but only Tigress got the most lines. I doubt it that Crane and Monkey got as many things to say as she did. But in general, they all had good punch lines and really got me laughing. It was a fairly good movie in a while-and I am talking about Thor. YES GUYS I AM NOT BIAS. Capsrape time.

I agree with many that the fight scenes were executed beautifully-watch Shen in action: you will be unprepared. And it also followed the route of making flashbacks appear in a different style to indicate dream sequences like several other movies. But I felt that Po as a baby was kinda disturbing-I mean hearing a human baby’s voice in a baby panda just goes against all logic in my head. You do not do that.

Story-wise, it was fairly predictable at times (sob) but I would say that it was perfectly balanced and nicely played out, art direction and all. Jason pointed out that the Chinese influences seemed purely for aesthetic reasons and lack the depth and history of Chinese/Oriental culture and tradition. Hmm, food for thought guys? Po was the most unexpected one-who would’ve thought of making a panda the main character for a kung fu film? I love the battle sequences here-watch and you will see how the animals’ fighting styles are incorporated into kung fu and the like.

And yet again, I find myself falling for the villain of the movie-Lord Shen. I am completely besotted by his style of fighting, his gorgeous tail and the way he throws those daggers. Who says that white peacocks can’t be bad ass? In particular, his sob back story really pulled at my heartstrings (couldn’t care less for Po sorry) and I feel like this is just like Loki all over again. So what if I’m a sucker for bad, evil characters? It seems that there isn’t even a limitation for species now.

And clearly I don’t have much drawbacks when it comes what sort of villain that attracts me. Speaking of which, do I smell a new shipping pair in KP2? Not going to spoil it, but it’s going to be… cross species if this happens. Another thing which I don’t compute.

So, Kung Fu Panda 2, you guys. Go watch it because it’s not entirely a kid’s movie-whoever said it was? It’s a good Gary Oldman movie sequel, and I would say that this is one of the best animations since How To Train Your Dragon. Including Toy Story of course. But Pixar, you better watch your back.

Awakening.

Simply because. And my fingers were itching to write something so I decided to put whatever inspiration that is to good use. On another note, CSI last night was major-ly sweet! Sara and Gil Grissom ftw. (:

For someone who hardly reads chick-lit and almost never watches rom-coms, I am surprisingly adept at writing romance. Yes, I said it. I dunno where it comes from, so please, bear with me if I sounded overly Twilight at times. If Stephenie Meyer toned down the horror and do more research, perhaps the story might still be alright. See? I am not overly biased! But I still have no shame, evidently.

Call this a drabble, warm-up or whatever. It’s Cheri getting her writing streak back on.

Untitled poem is untitled.

Wrote this on the way back from Sunway, and continued all the way before and after dinner. Turns out that I still have what it takes to write something!

Anyway, before you read this, I just have a few things to say.

I’ve always wanted to write a poem about Okami ever since I started watching the terrific gameplay by Chuggaaconroy on Youtube. I am seriously in love with this game, forever and always. And! I started writing this poem with Okami in mind. I swear I did. That was until I got deviated by another, which made this poem appear to have a double meaning, at least to me. Actually, I’ve incorporated references from the game/story throughout the poem, but I suppose I’m probably the only one who can see it. Fail. So if you happen to think I based it off from somewhere else then hurhur

But if you haven’t heard of Okami (which you really should) that’s alright. Even better actually-feel free to interpret this poem as you see fit!

And as you can see by the lame title, I don’t have a title for this poem. Totally and completely stuck. So, I welcome suggestions of any kind. But I may or may not use your ideas-if I do I will definitely credit you, of course.

Julian, I blame you for this! You should know the extent of your ‘crime’, haha. Long story short-there was a Tumblr page. And the rest is history.

Henceforth, I am not going to lie that the distraction that I encountered while writing came in the form of Loki. In my head, he overwhelmed the Okami idea I had and… well. See what fangirling does to me?? Even though the tumblr page was introduced to me only today while I wrote the poem on Wednesday… well. Doesn’t matter.

But I admit. Loki/Hiddleston is amazing. And I’m quite pleased with how this poem turned out, amidst the Okami/Loki hiccup. WHATEVER.

So, is my poem about Okami, or Loki, really? You be the judge, but I think we all know the answer.

Evidently, I have no shame.

Your eyes of searing flame,
A driving beacon in the gloom,
The spirit of a wolf, none can tame,
Fates of may, interwoven on a loom.

Running with fire and ice,
Your forbidden chanty serenades me,
Like a dancer your strides entice,
Intoning your promise for eternity.

In the dark, I see your reflection,
A shadow of the power you wield,
Discord and mischief honed to perfection,
Behind a smile, knowingly sealed.

Blood and wine, I grant you my heart,
My soul and vessel forevermore,
Your kiss and insignia, never to depart,
A pyre in winter’s unrelenting war.

In the land of Ikea… Yes, there’s actually a Part II

Yes, there’s a continuation to my initial review of Thor!

I had a pretty big privilege (and really good coincidence) to have another go at Thor. Exactly one week after when I last watched it!

But movie aside, I simply felt that today was an enjoyable day. In my opinion, some movie experiences are made better with a good friend in tow, and somehow Thor was one of those moments. I’ve only watched two movies twice in the past, both in the same year of 2005-Corpse Bride and Chicken Little. Corpse Bride was good-I can watch it a billion times and still come off saying it was a very romantic movie, Tim Burton-style. I can’t say the same for Chicken Little, and until today I still think it’s a big joke.

Thanks, Jason.

So yeah, I only re-watch movies with a select few. Special people! Just kidding, but you get my drift.

I will not rewrite my review on Thor (because frankly I still think it’s kinda disappointing) but I shall talk about a few memorable moments and even scenes that I missed like 90% because I wasn’t paying attention. Yes. You got that right.

-Although this didn’t happen in the movie, I have to say this: the guy at the counter actually told us to stay behind and wait for that extra scene after the credits! First time being notified and while I already know that there’s a clip, it’s nice that people let you know about things like this. Makes your movie experience more worthwhile-pfft. Still, people ought to let the viewers know that for future movies!

-I was coughing a lot. A LOT. I didn’t quite like the fact that the weather was rather hazy and the cinema was cold. The result? Dry coughing ensues. My coughs sort of picked up when they focused on that frigid planet Jotunheim, and it’s totally pardonable okay? When I get to UK I am so screwed.

-I so did not fangirl. No, I didn’t. Never did.

-The hall we were in had lousy audio. One moment it was deafening, and the next it was suddenly muffled. Towards the end I really had to cover my ears when Loki and Thor fought. It was like they were fighting in front of me. I was totally on the verge of shouting and asking them to stop killing each other.

-When I found out that Zachary Levi was actually slated to play the blonde guy with the annoying musketeer mustache I was rather relieved that he didn’t take on this role. Because the three warriors and Sif did not get a lot of screen time. And the Asian guy had the least lines. As usual, Hollywood.

-Agent Coulson is kinda funny. Honest! Well he was annoying the first time, and tolerable the second time around. I love it so much when he mentioned Tony Stark by name-even though he didn’t show up in person. Rats.

-Asgard is looking more artificial the second time I watched it. And the razzle dazzle! I think sun glasses are a necessity for inhabitants there.

-Saw the marksman working his bow and arrow again. In the rain. At night.

-I actually didn’t catch the dialogue where Loki tells Thor that he is exiled from Asgard on my first watch. Why? Because at that moment, I decided that Tom Hiddleston’s face is all I shall look at. And I did. Unashamedly. He looks amazing in a suit. There, I said it.

-In fact, it was on some weird whim that I made up my mind the very next day last week after Thor that Tom Hiddleston is dreamy. And that I absolutely dig his costume design-everything but that helmet. I do not agree with that helmet. ‘Nuff said. Apart from that, I’m all on board.

-His outfits were the best looking ones. Hands down, because I’m terribly biased at this point. I think I must really dislike armor. That ridiculously horned helmet oh my god

-Upon watching this the second time, I kept telling myself to actually focus on the story and well, stop being so besotted? Oh, the fail.

-Was it necessary to mention at the end of the credits that ‘Thor will appear in The Avengers‘? Just like repeating again that the producers of Iron Man and Thor are of the same-Marvel, we get it. 

-The Destroyer is still frightening. Period. I got shocked when he ‘slapped’ Thor (ahaha Hwee Lynn) the first time and the second time was no different. Not helping when the sound system took that moment to malfunction. But the fact that Thor defeated him so easily… meh.

-Lastly, finally caught the special clip after the credits. And right now, I’m on cloud nine.

I think I would have gone on ranting for a little bit longer-if I wasn’t as tired as I am now. Perhaps it’s a good thing, because I didn’t want to get overly one-sided and turn this entry into a glorifying post for Loki. While I really like him, I didn’t want to go all psycho. Nah, I don’t think I am that overreactive.

But Sebastian Michaelis, I am totally dumping you.

Anyway, brb daydreaming 

Upcoming Movies

Wait, correct me if I’m wrong, but it’s about to be summer, right?

And summer usually spells a ton of movies. With so many movies coming out, there’s talk on who’s going to outdo the other and which will set the record as the topmost grossing film of this summer-or the year maybe? And perhaps there will be an underdog film that quietly comes along, winning over critics with a wholesome balance of plot.

This year is Marvel’s year huh, I believe I counted almost three movies from the comics out this year, from X-Men, to Thor and The Green Lantern. So, let me list down a few summer movies here, good and bad, and which I may or may not check out.

Edit: And before this post was actually published, I’ve watched Thor already! So I suppose that I ought to get this post up and running first before I begin my review on it.

Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows, Part II

We all know that the end is coming. And by the looks of the trailer that was out a few days ago, it was incredibly epic. No joke, the only word I will use to describe the trailer would be ‘epic’. Not groundbreaking, so yes there is a difference. I was pleased that they got some details right, like the scene where the trio flees from Fiendfyre (feel free to correct my spelling here), (spoiler!) the scene where Mrs. Weasley duels with Bellatrix (Jason’s favorite Death Eater hands down) and the tear-inducing scene where George Weasley was killed. Ok shoot me now, I forgot if it was Fred or George. Bugger. Showing us the diadem of Ravenclaw was a nice touch of enticing suspense-and having that weird, pointless scene where Harry pulls Voldemort off the castle ridge was just… awkward in many ways.

Not to mention, did anyone count how many times did they show Voldemort emitting cries of fury throughout the 2 minute trailer? Sister and I did-I think we got about 6 times? To whoever that edited the trailer, you just made Voldemort, the Dark Lord, a tad less menacing by inserting him howling a battle call-more than twice.

The scene where the wizards do battle was very new to me. I don’t think there has ever been a movie where wizards fight a war with wands and real magic. While the scenes shown did bring to mind the Helm’s Deep fight from LOTR, I am curious to see how will this battle be brought to life on the big screen. I sincerely hope that this doesn’t flop.

Thor

So the main actor in this film is Miley Cyrus’ ex’s brother? Soooo does that mean we should expect Hannah Montana fans to contribute to Thor’s box office count? And Hollywood should stop emphasizing overly buff men as superheroes. It’s rather creepy because not everyone is that ripped.

I am surprised at the choice of casting Natalie Portman in this sort of film, but then it’s a first for her, so why not? She hasn’t starred in a fantasy film like this before, and I’m confident that she will bring her A-game. Does that make any sense?

I like the bit of humor when Thor got Taser-ed. The God of Lightning got knocked out by… artificial lightning? I suck at being funny.

Note that I do not know anything about Thor except that he is a god. However, other gods shown in the trailer and pictures I’ve seen appear rather odd in life-action. Perhaps it’s just the angles and lighting, but I’m not getting the ‘divine aura’ from them. While they do resemble knights and royalty in their getup, I’m just not feeling the heavenly vibe. We shall see.

Once again I find that giant metal machine figure towards the end looking incredibly out of place-very ungodly-like, it’s like the gods decided to merge analog with digital and the bad guys have gotten robots for weapons. Is Thor supposed to be this futuristic? There wasn’t much of Nordic influence in the trailer-as far as I see it.

Captain America: The First Avenger

Another comic-turned-movie where the main character goes from zero to hero. Upon taking a miracle drug, an ordinary (and scrawny) soldier is suddenly morphed into a really buff guy who heralds a new future for soldiers and warfare. And yet again I know nuts about Captain America except that he dresses in the colors of the flag of USA. And that shield he carries.

I dig the era the movie was set in, presumably WWII. Not much is shown in the trailer, all but his immediate transformation and him leading the fight into the battlefield. We also got a shot of the villain-someone horribly scarred. I’m fully aware that I’m showing my ignorance of comic books.

Transformers: The Dark Side of The Moon

Frankly they should just call this movie The Movie Where Megan Fox Got Replaced By A Victoria’s Secret Model, or Michael Bay Better Have A Good Reason For Casting Rosie Huntington-Whiteley. Because I really don’t know if she have the acting chops, and Megan Fox is close to zero in that said field herself.

Upon watching the teaser where the astronauts found a robot on the moon, I made the biggest fluke of the week by telling my sister that the robot resemble a mustache, when what I meant to say was that the robot looked like he had a mustache. Way to go. Anyway, he did look old.

Basically, the story seems to be the same old thing recycled or other-our battered Earth is fated to be ripped apart by gargantuan machines yet again and it’s up to Sam and his [new] girlfriend and their chunky robot allies to save the day. And also aided by the US military army… and the CIA.

I like the dragon robot. I know that is not relevant, just expressing my love for all things dragonian.

And in all honesty, I do not see how is this movie going to redeem itself. It seems to have all the things that make up a recipe for a cliche, blockbuster: big explosions, epic battle scenes, a hot girl and loads of guns and incredible special effects.

Once again I will stress that mind blowing special effects do not make a movie. They support your film, they make it an awesome visual feast, but in no way does it make your movie a great film. People are going to talk about your CGI (Sucker Punch, anyone?) but no one is going to remember your story and anything else for the matter.

X-Men: First Class

Okay, let me get this straight: having your teaser posters done in a crappy manner does not make your movie first class in my book! Has anyone seen the teaser posters for X Men? The ones with the silhouettes of Magneto and Professor X? With their faces superimposed onto what appears to be their crotch? It’s not just funny, it’s awful. If I were the designer who did the said posters, I would dig a hole and bury myself before the studio can find me and kill me themselves. Or simply just disembowel myself like what samurais do. Don’t believe me? Here’s the offending picture:

I mean, come on!

It’s just… full of bad puns. Or innuendos. Have your pick. I mean, what exactly were the posters trying to imply? That the fate of mutants lie in the … [?] of these two characters? The thought of it is so painful to even imagine, let alone write it out. And yet I show my very dense-ness towards yet another comic book from Marvel… yay. All I know about this film is that this is the prequel of all prequels to X-Men, way before Professor X and Magneto were hurling blows at each other and are best chums. How sweet. I like James McAvoy. Yes, that was just my fangirl within squealing with glee. But his hairstyle combined with his serious face is aging him dreadfully… or maybe that is just the posters’ way of depicting his character… pensive much?

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides

I’ll definitely list down this movie no matter what-but that is purely out of fangirlism and my loyalty to the PoTC franchise. My logical side is shaking my head somewhat at the idea of making a fourth film for Pirates. Personally, they should’ve just left it at the third movie (it took me two times to understand the plot because there was a lot of rain, swords, barbs and savvy.). When I first heard that they plan to make a fourth, I was like ‘No way. They can’t be serious.’

I really love PoTC. Or rather, I love Jack Sparrow. He is a bonafide ladies man, casanova, whatever. Macho swashbuckling pirate be damned, I’ll take the rum-drinking, ship-less pirate with swag. Did I mention he also has a compass that doesn’t point north?

Call me a sour grape or whatever, but I just feel that there’s so many things that could go wrong with this movie. I fear that the franchise is losing steam. While it pains me to say this, it’s the truth. The third movie was long and choppy (not the waters!) and the story was tricky to catch up with. But I wonder if changing directors will give the movie a new lease on life.

The thing that probably irked me the most was the use of zombies in the plot. Excuse me, but zombies? I think I’m probably way too tired of their presence in movies, games and TV shows. Unless there is a new zombie idea that is different, then I’ll take it. But you guys! There’s been a ton of zombie-related things in the media and I really don’t wish to see one of my favorite franchises fall dead to reanimated corpses. Indirect pun.

So PoTC 4-you better not disappoint!

The Green Lantern

Is this weird or is this weird? The repetition is necessary because I cannot fathom the weirdness of the trailer. Ryan Reynolds is as hunky as ever, but whether does he still retain his manliness in that questionable green suit is subjected to discussion. And that mask around his eyes.

So far it seems that I’m questioning just about every single movie I wrote about here. Because I don’t know if things that look good on paper will look just as amazing  when filmed in real life. Sucker Punch was evidently one of those concepts that just didn’t sound so… great.

I keep thinking of Megamind (yes, that animation with that guy who had a huge head) when I think of Green Lantern. Because there was a similar character in the trailer who had the same physical appearance… and also in a non-human color. Really don’t know about this one.

I’m on the fence with this movie. Because so many comic book-movies have met a most embarrassing demise, and I often cringe on their behalf. So, just don’t screw it up.

“Rapunzel, let down your hair…”

The last Disney film I watched was The Frog Princess, or was it The Princess and The Frog?

Anyway, from articles I’ve read online, Rapunzel is something of a Disney/Pixar effort. The result? Pantene-worthy locks just like the real-life hair commercials.

The story is fairly simple: Rapunzel, a girl locked away in a secluded tower yearns to see the floating lanterns which are raised on her birthday every year. Her mother forbids her to leave the tower because she is really an old woman who relies on Rapunzel’s hair to grant her immortality. About the hair bit, there is a back story on its magical properties and origin. By a series of unusual events, she encounters Flynn Rider (not his real name) a thief who was at the time, fleeing from the guards with a stolen tiara belonging to the lost princess. In the end, Rapunzel strikes a deal with Flynn-if he takes her to see the lanterns, he gets the tiara back. And the story progresses, eventually with Flynn falling in love with her and vice versa. Like all Disney films, everything wrong is righted and they live happily ever after.

I cannot believed I just typed that. But I did anyway, in my Tron entry.

Honestly, when I first discovered the film months ago, it was courtesy of my favorite actor Zachary Levi who was voicing Flynn. (insert fangirl moment here) Time really flies. Speaking of which, I’ve yet to begin watching Chuck Season. I’m slow.

Disney being Disney, there were some signature elements that makes a film-y’know, Disney. It was the constant warbling and the often exaggerated actions that you only find in movies, or for instance a particular Mentos Commercial from Japan. Go watch it, and you’ll get what I mean.

As I grow older, I cannot help but fidget a little when the music begins to play and the main character breaks effortlessly into song on a non-musical film. Unless the movie’s intention was to do a musical, then it’s not so hard to stomach.

The part that made me laugh out loud was Rapunzel bursting out from her life-long hiding place and ending the song she was singing on a high note. When I mean high note, I actually meant the sun rays-complete with perfectly timed birds flying from the forest up into the canopy. Wow. Not even Great Migrations can capture stuff like that.

I give props to Rapunzel’s stepmother Gothel for bringing an awesome voice to the show. Seriously, her voice is simply amazing. Broadway performers are just that talented. Personally, I would’ve preferred if Zachary Levi had some solo numbers to call his own as well. I don’t know, can’t he sing something while fleeing the palace guards? (Hey it’s Disney, you can sing about anything while doing almost anything)

The horse Maximus looks suspiciously like the horse from The Road To El Dorado. They both love apples, and they are both supposed to be the steed to the um, high-command officer. Plus physically-wise they also share some similarities… Except Maximus was somewhat of a hero here. If it weren’t for his relentless pursuit of Flynn (another guy named Flynn!) he wouldn’t have met Rapunzel. As for the chameleon, there is simply no other reason for it to be there apart from acting cute, and changing the mood, geddit?

image from itomakichan.blogspot.com

Not sure if this is a better view of Altivo (El Dorado):

image from movies.about.com

Needless to say, the best song (for me) was definitely “I see the light”. Sounds vaguely like a line from Ghost Whisperer, but supernatural references aside. The “I have a dream” number was just to wacky for me to comprehend. The song for the ending credits “Something that I want” is also a worthy mention. I liked the art shown at the end of the film. It was really different in comparison to the final product, but the intimate drawing style captured the characters’ vigor and personality. The wonders of a pencil!

I wasn’t completely entertained by certain parts in the movie, but overall it was a good-enough story to feel good and unwind, nevertheless. Zachary Levi is always a plus.

Maybe I should actually blog about (drum roll, please) Black Butler, omigod. Friends of mine should know that this is probably an inevitable prospect over the horizon-besides, it’s time that I voice my actual views and thoughts about it complete with snarky jokes right?

Stay tuned for that as well, with Little Fockers too…

Tron, Bron, gone…

Another of my futile attempts to sound funny in my writing. Anyway, moving on.

As a director, I’m not sure if I’ve the guts to show my face in public if my film, after much hype and anticipation, falls short of everything it’s supposed to be. I mean, that’s a lot of money, time and effort spent. Not to mention the studio itself was probably banking on the film to be a success. All in all, that’s probably going to suck if the movie is a disappointment, isn’t it?

That was what I thought of Tron: Legacy. Well, at least they made it in such a way that you needn’t watch the first (and really old) movie to know the deets and all the tech terms surrounding this supposedly sci-fi story.

The story is fairly simple: Sam’s father goes missing for a really long time and now, all-grown up Sam is something of a hacker-esque rebel who refuses to assume the throne to his father’s legacy-that company named Encom which distributes free softwares. Not to mention that Sam Flynn has-ahem-looks that can probably draw in lots of female viewers like my sister for example. Like all kids, Sam has resigned to the thought that his father has left him…. forevermore. Until one day he tracks his father’s paged message down to his office at the old arcade, and-magically-he is drawn into the digital universe his father *created*. Note the asterisks because I have no clue how can you technically create a world from…..pixels and mathematical formulas, let alone have real, living human beings going in and out of the said world. Maybe I’m missing something bigger here. Do you become pixelated??

So Sam discovers that his father is really trapped in his own creation (karma I bet) thanks to a virtual avatar he once assigned to take over his job. Another one of those plots where artificial intelligence decides to strike back because us humans are just too arrogant. Do I smell the Matrix?

Along with yet another virtual resident Quorra, Sam and his dad must stop his creepily young avatar Clu from (drum roll) achieving world domination. Seriously! He even had a virtual army and all. Just when you thought that line could’ve been so old and dusty by now-heck, it reeks of cheese balls. You can expect Sauron to say that, but surely not a computer program akin to a virus.

And can you believe that during his long absence, Sam’s dad (oh great, I forgotten his name) has been raising another child in Sam’s place. I know right? Sam has a right to be pissed! Bummer though.

Halfway through the film, the characters conveniently dropped a foreshadowing point. The part where (spoiler) Kevin (I Googled for his name) Flynn can only destroy Clu by… destroying himself. Very enlightening, seeing that he actually does yoga in the movie (yes, I kid you not) and mentions the word ‘zen’.

And also, Tron isn’t even the name of the world. It’s another avatar that Kevin created, something like the poster boy of good. Some role, because I didn’t get to see much of Tron’s face throughout the film-either he is always covered in black, or that he is too insignificant to be shown because the main characters hog screen time.

I don’t even need to explain what happens, because yadayada-foreshadowing becomes a reality! Anyhow it’s still a Disney movie so I assume that the story must have a high chance of ending on an 80% happy note.

I’m actually quite curious as to how a digital entity like Quorra can make the journey safely from pixels (haha) into reality. Sam is flesh and bone so he can make it in one piece, but her? Isn’t she like a program? So does her relocation into our world makes her human? I’m now boggled. Feel free to discuss.

Well needless to say, the special effects for Tron were amazing, as how all blockbuster movies look today, at least most of them. They boast stellar graphics but really bland story lines. And you think that we all learn from history. The scene of the light cycles and how the vehicles can uh, be conjured in mid-air is pretty slick to watch, particularly the way they transfigure from mere rays of light into fully functional wheels. All in all I felt like I was in a rave party, with the glow sticks and Daft Punk to lead me on. With all the disco vibes, I half expected the Black Eyed Peas to pop up somewhere…

Thumbs up for Michael Sheen for his brief but entertaining role. The guy can humor the crowd. Can you believe that he went from werewolf (Underworld), vampire (Twilight) to uh, digital program in Tron? Forget about the main characters-they were as interesting as the popcorn in my mouth.

My sister said that Daft Punk died in the explosion on that tower. Yikes, I don’t think I would ever know that. She was also hyperventilating in her seat next to me, needless to explain why.

So, that was my thoughts on Tron: Legacy. As mentioned, I felt that the movie didn’t meet the hype that was generated way before its release. I was one of those who were pretty stoked after watching the initial trailers released at Comic Con and vice versa. Kinda sad. I’m getting very hard to please on movies nowadays. The last movie (and probably the one movie of the year) that caught my attention was Inception. As boggling as it was, I actually understood it, albeit the creepy vibes because who knew a dream can be a place for such dangerous rendezvouses?

But, there’s Joseph Gordon Lewitt. Still, I won’t go into a dream-like state after watching that show, with or without him.

Should I write something about Inception? Maybe I ought to-once I’m done with Rapunzel. I’m also considering Little Fockers… probably the dirtiest show I’ve seen all year.

Pieces of You

New poem, after like what, forever?

-

I saw the look in your eyes,

A sigh so deep through your heart,

Once a fairy tale now a demise,

A wintry season, worlds apart.

The dying embers glowed their last,

A faint kiss of ash upon my lips,

Written farewells of the past,

A ghost of a dream at my fingertips.

Try as I may to stem the flow,

My heart unfinished, missing a piece,

Only sweet nothings your voice can bestow,

Enchanting poetry with a subtle tease.

Blood as ink I sign my goodbyes,

With my hand I calmly wrote,

Gone were the days I drink in your lies,

This chapter I seal with a solemn note.

Entry 1; Apple

The title is yet to be confirmed. But here is a contest entry for a competition I’m applying for in college. Creative Writing in English. I know, right. Art college doing something English. My dad was pleasantly surprised himself. Anyway I welcome comments of any kind, constructive ones would be helpful because it would help me in editing this piece. I’ll definitely write more entries because I’m not entirely happy with this one. The 500 word limit is killing me. D:

Edited: To the 500-word version.

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Apple
What a tease. She loathed the mockery he wore like a pin on his lapel. Though he uttered no words, his wily, saccharine smile reached eagerly for his ears. She knew fully well that he intended to watch her struggle, perhaps subject herself to a humiliating bout of a performance.

“Stop giving me that look,” she remarked loftily, letting the pin fall from her thin fingers. It struck the surface of the table with a faint ping, almost inaudible even in the thick, humid silence.

“I was merely suggesting that I offer you some assistance.” Always the gentleman, the courteous bystander. His innocent look was one skillful performance by a veteran actor. It was almost ironic.

“I do not require aid keeping my hair in order.” she laced her fingers together with the eloquence of a dancer, and leaned back in her chair languidly. The hot weather did nothing to lighten her mood, and it was getting darker by the second. And her inability to keep her locks out of her face was infuriating. She was a woman, for Heaven’s sake! A lady could probably be acknowledged as the one specimen on the planet whose self-hygiene was deemed immaculate. Not her. She was the black sheep; the unblemished apple shunned because of the fear of what could be decaying within.

He proceeded to watch her quietly, his dark eyes scrutinizing. That sharp, penetrating gaze never fails to instil a little agitation in her. It probably gave him some satisfaction.

“Perhaps, I should send for a maid…” he began, enunciating his words clearly as if speaking to a child. He observed her pale knuckles draining of whatever remaining color they balled into suffocating fists. Yet there was an amazing measure of calm etched upon her face like a mask; her anger in her hands did not reach her eyes.

Ire and frustration smothered her, consuming her from within, snapping her thin, remaining lines of patience. Biting her lip to quell the brewing storm, she gripped the desk to steady herself. It was her futile effort to cling onto reality, before the past came to drown her again. She felt the familiar stinging sensation as tears moistened her eyes. Incensed by her exhibition of weakness, she made a move to wipe them away, only to have her own hands drawn away from her face.

He sighed with a smile that has ensnared countless victims, yet his voice still carried its jeering edge.

“To weep is only natural.” He wiped away her tears with a tender hand. “Your life has been nothing but an untouched apple, it’s fragrant flesh singing a song of temptation.”

His hands encircled her waist, wandering up to her bare neck, and entwining themselves in her loose, cascading curls. He leaned in close, his sweet breath of honey and musk emanating her senses as his lips met her ear. His smoldering eyes, imbued with unsaid ardor and famine, an implied confession.

“Enticing enough for me to take a bite.”

Demon’s rapture

Don’t laugh at the title okay. It just came. ._. I wrote it on the journey back home with Jason and Amanda. We sang ‘Don’t Stop Believing’ in an utmost disastrous fashion, watched ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’ and we recorded our singing fiasco. Road trip again!

—-

On the night of Hallow’s Eve,
You took my blood as wine,
Under the moon, never to leave,
My flesh is claimed for yours to bind.

A dark hearted one, you ravenously devour,
I saved my last breath for you,
When all is done you kneel at the floor,
My chapter closes, and start anew.

Lips forming a prayer that will never be,
Unopened letters blown into the rain,
Your hold on me sears with poisonous ecstasy,
Your kiss of heroine pulses through my vein.

Burning in your realm of fire,
Your marked a scar upon my heart,
This demon’s rapture, entwined with desire,
My covenant delivered, never to depart.

—-
Postscript: I decided to use the word ‘vein’ not just because it rhymes or anything. It struck me that wouldn’t it be unusual if we all had only one vein-so everything has to pass through that vessel. I imagined that the adrenaline and what not emotions would have to rush through that narrow path, so wouldn’t everything be magnified/experienced tenfold? Quite scary though.