jbf blog

Movie Review

“Stranger Than Fiction”

An auditor for the Internal Revenue Service, living his entire life based on the timing of his wristwatch and an IRS agent whose every move is documented by a disembodied female voice begins to affect his entire life, from his work, to his love-interest, to his death.

Stranger than fiction is a comedy, drama, romance and fantasy movie, a film directed by Marc Forster. The film stars Will Ferrell as Harold Crick (auditor of the Internal Revenue Service and a socially isolated IRS agent), Maggie Gyllenhaal as Ana Pascal (to whom he is attracted and became his girlfriend), Emma Thompson as Kay Eiffel (noted author and the voice narrating to Harold Crick every action) and Dustin Hoffman as Jules Hilbert (a professor who helped Harold Crick to find a solution to his problem).

An uptight tax official who lives an almost parodist life by his watch until he hears a disembodied voice narrating events as they happen. He consults a literature professor who begins analysing the text, checking off genres and archetypes, and having him look for clues as to whether his story might be comedic or tragic. Professor Hilbert suggests that Harold try to follow one of comedy's most elemental formulas, a love story between two people who hate each other. His suggestion leads Harold to initiate an unlikely romance with a free-spirited baker named Ana Pascal. As Harold experiences true love and true life for the first time, he becomes convinced that he has escaped his fate, as his story seems to be taking on all the accessories of a comedy in which he will not, and cannot, die. But Harold is unaware that in a Karen Eiffel tragedy, the lead characters always die at exactly the moment when they have the most to live for.

The film “Stranger Than Fiction” must have to be seen because it inspired to the extent that even though your life is just a documented but then you still live it to the fullest, forget that your life is only documented but at the end it is a happy ending.

Movie Review

“MEMENTO”

A man who suffers short-term memory loss, uses notes and tattoos to look for the man that he thinks who killed his wife.

Memento is a 2000 American movie, a film directed by Christopher Nolan, written by Jonathan Nolan and Christopher Nolan. The film stars Guy Pearce as Leonard Shelby, a short term memory loss resulting from an injury which was associated with the murder of his wife. Carrie-Anne Moss as Natalie, Jimmy’s girlfriend. Joe Pantoliano as Teddy, an undercover officer and has been helping Leonard with his investigation. Jorja Fox as Jankis, Leonard's wife.

Leonard take revenge his wife's murder. However, unable to remember anything that happens due to a condition he sustained, short term memory loss, he has to write himself a note and after making a note he still don't mean anything after he falls asleep. Leonard is assisted in this mission by a few people apparently independent of each other, including a man named Teddy and a woman named Natalie. However, each time he meets them, he has no idea who they are, why they are helping him and if indeed they are working toward the same goal as him.

The film “Memento” ought to be seen because it is a heartening film which identifies the love of the husband to his wife. The effort and the strength off the husband just to find justice for the death of his wife. It is totally a successfully box office film.

Movie Review

“GHAJINI”

A student is endangered after she warns a wealthy male that a crazed recluse with short term memory loss is out to kill him, not knowing the reason behind the recluse's actions.

Ghajini is a 2008 Indian Hindi action film written and directed by A. R. Murugadoss and produced by Tagore Madhu and Madhu Mantena. The film stars Aamir Khan as Sanjay Singhania, a rich business man, the chairman of a mobile phone company, Air Voice. He is also Sachin in the eyes of Kalpana, who hides his identity unless she will accept his engagement. Asin Thottumkal as Kalpana, a model by profession who gains publicity by proclaiming herself to be the girlfriend of Sanjay Singhania, which is not really true. Jiah Khan as Sunita, a medical student, who is trying to study the case of Sanjay Singhania and his amnesia problem. Pradeep Rawat as Ghajini Dharmatma, a gang honcho and the mastermind of many illegal and criminal ventures. Ghajini was released on 25 December 2008 with an estimated 1500 prints worldwide, including 1200 prints in the domestic market,making it the largest Bollywood release at that time.

The film opens with Sunita, a medical student, she wants to investigate the curious case of Sanjay Singhania a former notable city businessman, who is reported to have anterograde amnesia. Sunita decides to investigate the matter herself. It is revealed that Sanjay has anterograde amnesia where he loses his memory every 15 minutes. It is revealed that Sanjay is ultimately out to avenge the death of his sweetheart Kalpana and that he is systematically killing the people who were responsible for it.

Sunita finds two diaries where Sanjay has chronicled the events of 2005 and 2006. The film flashes back to 2005 as Sunita reads the diary. Sanjay Singhania is shown as the owner of the Air Voice mobile telephone company. Sanjay found Kalpana and eventually both of them hang around together and gradually develop a liking towards each other. The diary ends with Sanjay proposing Kalpana and promising himself to tell her that he himself is Sanjay Singhania if she would accept the proposal. Sunita investigates further, and discovers that Kalpana was traveling to Goa for a modeling assignment by train when she came upon 25 innocent young girls being trafficked to Goa. She saves the girls who name Ghajini as the ringleader of the racket. Ghajini kills two girls, who recognized him, and goes in search of Kalpana.

His goons break into her apartment and wait for her to return. Sanjay arrives there to meet Kalpana. Her last word to him was “Ghajini". Sunita, now aware of the shocking truth, finds Sanjay in the hospital and tells him the truth. She helps Sanjay to find Ghajini. Sanjay confronts Ghajini and fights hand to hand. After the happenings, Sunita gives him a gift which is the cement slab on which Kalpana and Sanjay impressioned their first footprints when the couple moved into a new apartment to remind him of his loving association with Kalpana.

The film Ghajini is ought to be seen for the sheer novelty of its theme. It is inspired and to some extent, it is lifted from Hollywood’s Memento.If you can digest an overdose of physical violence, thenGhajini is a film you shouldn't miss for Aamir Khan's unforgettable performance and if you have stomach for such revolting violence, you would enjoy sitting through Ghajini for many reasons. First, it's unique plot. Second, Aamir's mind-blowing acting. Third, Asin's confident debut in a heart-winning performance. Jiah Khan is appropriately cast in a role that doesn't demand much from her. Pradeep Rawat, as the antagonist, is menacing. It is unusual and unexpected ending.

Food Review

“TASTE OF HOME AT PROBINSYA RESTAURANT”

Must try it!

Probinsya is finest, diverse, and apparently authentically Filipino restaurant in Davao City.

We have only been here one time and that was for dinner. We got their rather late and the buffet line was pretty much picked clean. What we did have was good. The waiters and the staffs were very conscientious and the ambience of the place is implausible.

Frankly, when I saw their main dishes I was not that eager to consume all the dishes because all that I had seen was lechon de leche, shrimp, fish fillet, longganisa rice, etc. I already experience all that dishes at home but well, my appetite kicking my stomach. I really need to feed my self.

When I tasted their lechon de leche, winner truly excellent! It is really luscious, delectable and it is not an ordinary lechon de lechen in birthdays, weddings and fiestas. The sweet and spicy shrimp stir fry fulfils my craving. The fish fillet is one of the most delicious pieces of fish I’ve ever tasted. One gets a choice of three specially prepared dishes in all scrummy and exceptional.

Just when you think you can’t eat anymore, Probinsya offers a range of special desserts, including a unique twist of seafoods pasta, cup cake with a liquefy filling and cherry on top, raisin mango float with a melted filling of mango, and the chocolate cake that would swoon you because of it’s delectable taste.

Probinsya restaurant located at Victoria Plaza Compound, J.P Laurel Avenue, Bajada, Davao City. You must have to pay 350 pesos but it is worth paying for.

Music Review

“COVERAGE”

The album coverage is the fourth album released by pop singer Mandy Moore which was a collection of covers of music from the 1970s and 80s.

There are 12 songs in the album and that was produced by John Fields. Sense working overtime, The whole of the moon, Can we still be friends, I feel the earth move, Mona Lisa and mad hatters, Drop the pilot, Moonshadow, One way or another, Breaking us in two, Anticipation, Help me and Have a little faith in me.

Before I turned play the songs it comes to my mind, what’s new with this album compared to the other album of Mandy Moore that was first published and I first heard like the So real, I wanna be with you and the self-titled album Mandy Moore.

When I first heard that Mandy was releasing an album titled “Coverage”, I was looking forward to it because as 21 years old girl, I was too excited about the music of the 60s, 70s and 80s. When I heard the music, I can say that Mandy Moore brings forth a well done renewal of each of the songs.

Coverage is one of the lazy Saturday morning CDs to sit back and relax to, or even to dance. I can really feel the message of the songs and the totally of good music is the best. Mandy’s voice on this record is exceptional and the total ambience of the record is well worth the investment. It is a worth listening for.