The Pursuit of Happyness Movie Review

The Pursuit of Happyness is a movie about a great part of the life of Chris Gardner, a man who went through near – unsurpassable obstacles to reach success in his life – that is, success in the sense that he makes good money by running a profitable business and providing for his family, and unsurpassable obstacles in the sense that he had to at one point – lock the door at a men’s Oakland subway station’s bathroom so he can sleep there at night.

You can imagine that this is a true inspirational, dramatic sobfest, and it is. It leaves no doubt that Chris Gardner, who made his money via the stock market, is a man made of true stern stuff. His determination and single – minded purpose is incredible, regardless of how he is interpreted by Will Smith. And I say that because Will Smith is a truly impressive character just as well, but I’ll get to that a little later on.

Yup. You know what to do. Go over to Movie Exchange to read the rest. Camaaan do it already!

The Pursuit of Happyness

The Pursuit of Happyness is a movie about a great part of the life of Chris Gardner, a man who went through near – unsurpassable obstacles to reach success in his life – that is, success in the sense that he makes good money by running a profitable business and providing for his family, and unsurpassable obstacles in the sense that he had to at one point – lock the door at a men’s Oakland subway station’s bathroom so he can sleep there at night.

You can imagine that this is a true inspirational, dramatic sobfest, and it is. It leaves no doubt that Chris Gardner, who made his money via the stock market, is a man made of true stern stuff. His determination and single – minded purpose is incredible, regardless of how he is interpreted by Will Smith. And I say that because Will Smith is a truly impressive character just as well, but I’ll get to that a little later on.

Continue reading The Pursuit of Happyness

300 Movie Review

I gather that a great number of girls as well as men are raving about 300. And as we speak, the movie has broken 3.12 million US last weekend, and I am amongst those completely unsurprised.

Yet as I left the theatre, why was I not raving about it as all those other men and women? For sure, it kept me quite enraptured throughout. It is a visual feast like no other I’ve seen in a very long time. I can only think, maybe, of The Curse of the Golden Flower or any of it’s other Asian cousins such as The House of The Flying Daggers to compare to the grand imagery of thousands upon thousands of warriors in battle, but even these pale in comparison to how grand this one turned out.

(I’m trying to revive my movie reviewing skills, so please read the rest at Movie Exchange).

300

I gather that a great number of girls as well as men are raving about 300. And as we speak, the movie has broken 3.12 million US last weekend, and I am amongst those completely unsurprised.

Yet as I left the theatre, why was I not raving about it as all those other men and women? For sure, it kept me quite enraptured throughout. It is a visual feast like no other I’ve seen in a very long time. I can only think, maybe, of The Curse of the Golden Flower or any of it’s other Asian cousins such as The House of The Flying Daggers to compare to the grand imagery of thousands upon thousands of warriors in battle, but even these pale in comparison to how grand this one turned out.

Images of Spartans, properly and as near identical to the original comic book series (I am assured), make this movie a guaranteed classic. An astounding visual array of fantastic special effects, award – winning CGI and a tremendous effort throughout.

Not to mention the brilliant casting of Gerald Butler as the tough, virtuous King Leonidas, who singlehandedly imo, brings to this movie an aspect the effects cannot. And that is acting out an interesting, well – formed character in the King – made a wholly believable person entirely due to him.

Even better is Rodrigo Santoro as the threatening, overwhelming Xerxes, whose “I am kind.” monologue somewhere in the 3rd act is a thunderstorm of a performance. Almost like a dance, near trance like he convinces Ephialtes, the disillusioned, disfigured Spartan to change sides, leading Leonidas and crew to their death. So compelling is that scene I wished I could rewind it at the movie theatre to see it over again.

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Writing and Basketball and Art

I have told Art that I loved his narrative style on his blog a few days ago when we sat together at an event two weeks ago. For some reason I knew that he’d be a terrific read if he started blogging, and since I found his link on the first PWIT I had been thoroughly hooked. Yes I think I can say now I’m a fan. Wait, let me go further by saying, Art’s blog is, to me, the best, or amongst the top three favorite blogs I follow. Other blogs I like are similar in style, very personal and candid, but his stands out particularly, I think, because of his maturity.

And let me expound on that. See, to me there is no more apt term to describe Philippine blogging than the saying “Youth is wasted on the young.” While the young bring vibrancy to blogging, making it dynamic and exciting, Philippine blogging is 90% run by young people, and sometimes that makes it also very stupid. Of course that won’t sit well if you’re a young person, a Filipino and a blogger reading this, but the point is, it’s hard for one such as me to find anything new these days, or at least anything that’d keep me from wanting to bring on an – unsolicited I’m sure – lecture to these, through no fault of their own, neophytes.

At any rate message sent: Art is a cool guy who writes his memoirs like a careful, methodical painter brings paint to a canvass. Lovingly, simply (and therefore effortlessly) and with a clear heart. I seldom, now I realize, bring praise to people – to a fault, I think, but in this case this is most deserving. I suppose I should have told him that except for the fact I realized I had to first allow him to eat (having said some parts of it directly after coming from the buffet table), and so apt it is I say it here.

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I will PAY YOU to write for Mom Exchange

If you are a mom, mom – to – be, or otherwise someone who can write articles that you think is worth reading by visitors of Mom Exchange, please email me writing samples plus relevant info about you, and I’ll hook you up with anything from P150.00 – P300.00 each time you write.

Sure that may not be a lot, but considering blogposts can range from only a few words to 500+ words max (preferably with non-copyrighted or permission granted pics), that’s easy money right there. I am looking to fill up at least 2 to 3 new posts this way every week.

However a word to the wise : If you are looking to make a lot of dough, or intend this to be your main source of income, I’m afraid we may not have the same expectations and risk ending up disappointed. But if you love sharing your mom or mom – related stories and issues, make a few friends along the way, plus make some cash, then we are on the same page, so let’s do this.

If not, please help spread this around to those who apply. Many, many thanks.

Steam Microwaving Chicken

So since this is a cooking site… err, no it isn’t. But I wanna put up pics of what I cook and eat everyday, and I find the topic interesting, so there!!

Seriously, just wanted to share with you how to steam chicken with carrots and potatoes in a microwave, using a p200.00 microwave steaming contraption you can buy anywhere. I bought mine at some hardware store. I promise you it’s delish. Here we go:


The plastic contraption steaming cooking thingy has three parts. You put water at the lowest part, filling it to about half is good.

Then you need some chicken parts. Rock salt and pepper to taste.

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Balato – The Problem With Filipinos

Ok I know a title like is just begging people to take me down. For one, it can be deemed as generalizing, and any half – wit patriot with nary the time nor patience to read and understand can and probably would bash me in at even its mention. But regardless, this is what I feel, and thus, what I shall write.

I’m talking about the amazing capability of many Pinoys for an unhealthy dose of entitlement. Entitlement in the context of Balato – the absolute perfect word describing wanting more than you deserve.

The incident that moved me to write this happened last night, but I’ve actually felt this way for many many years before that, and there are, to my count, 3 reasons I can clearly point to.

First, is that cab ride I had to take last night because my car’s in the garage. See, I live in a far away section of Cainta. And to take a cab from Ortigas, you’d have to traverse all the way across most of traffic infested Ortigas Extension, and then left and up our mountainous village to the very end. This merits, about 90% of the time, grimaces from cab drivers, and many a groan of disgust. Often I have to go through 3 to 4 different cabs until someone says yes, and most of the time I get requests for up to 25% to 50% more than the metered amount, presumably to ‘pay for their trip back’, since they won’t be picking up anyone going there – an absolutely twisted concept of value for money since, really, although difficult the situation may be, this is NOT my problem. Since the trip can cost from p110 to as much as p160, this is not an unnoticable amount.

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DVD-RW and Power Supply Installation Picture Taking Madness!!

I’ve no idea why I’m doing this. I think I’m probably bored. And it’s not like I’ve other more pressing things to do. Anyway, am putting up pics of my new Power Supply and DVDRW. Ok so here we go:


Out with the old.

In with the new.

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