Sucker Punch

I caught the midnight showing of Sucker Punch at the Arclight Theater last night.

I haven't seen too much of the trailers or researched too much about the movie itself, and I kinda prefer it that way instead of letting commercials and opinion fog my judgement in deciding to watch a movie. I like the feeling of going into a movie knowing only a basic premise and a blank slate at mind. I think it makes for a much less biased opinion. The main thing that lured me in though was top billed actress Emily Browning who's caught my eye since "Lemoney Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events".

Not to get into too many details, this movie was pretty good. Not exactly Zack Snyder's best work as I feel his best  to date was "300", but regardless a solid action picture.

Story-wise, Sucker Punch felt to suffer a little here with a lack of character development and a plot that kinda left me wanting more. Each character seemed like they had a story I would have wish they expanded upon. Editing and visual-wise, the movie excelled. Definitely one of the best fight scenes I've seen in a while and the art direction seemed to mix well with the vintage yet futuristic theme (Yet, I just wished they toned down the slow motion a tad bit). From a technical standpoint, I was amazed by the visuals as Zack Snyder is known for his special fx heavy features, and this movie is just filled with green screen done the right way.

I went into the movie expecting a hardcore Snyder action flick, and I got it. The amazing art direction and fast paced fight scenes left me content at the end. I have no complaints. Especially with BB girl Emily Browning and the rest of the cast. Did I mention that the plot mainly revolves in a burlesque theater? Yep :D

Happy Birthday, Nay!

Happy 86th Birthday, Nanay! I still haven't forgotten what you've taught me, and we all miss you.

Thank you, again, for everything, and for being the strongest woman figure I've ever known :D

Film Portfoilio

I'm on the last part of my written section of my portfolio and I'm stuck between a bullshit sap story about how I should get into the program, or my psychedelic mushroom trip on my 19th birthday in San Francisco which made me step back and analyze how off I was from where I wanted to be in life and quit my job at Jollibee.

People opt for me to do the drug trip, and others advise the film department, as liberal as it is, can still frown upon the decision of recreational drug use.

I think I'll do both and see how they turn out.

Its2am

She's taking drunk texting to a whole other level.

TED Prize Winner - JR

Inspiring idea. French photographer and street artist JR's INSIDE OUT project.

"In 2006, he launched “Portrait of a Generation,” huge-format portraits of suburban “thugs” from Paris’ notorious banlieues, posted on the walls of the bourgeois districts of Paris. This illegal project became official when Paris City Hall wrapped its own building in JR’s photos.

..In 2007, with business partner Marco, he did “Face 2 Face,” which some consider the biggest illegal photo exhibition ever. JR and a grassroots team of community members posted huge portraits of Israelis and Palestinians face to face in eight Palestinian and Israeli cities, and on both sides of the security fence/separation barrier.

..He embarked on a long international trip in 2008 for his exhibition “Women Are Heroes,” a project underlining the dignity of women who are the target of conflict. In 2010, the film Women Are Heroes was presented at the Cannes Film Festival and received a long standing ovation."

                                                                                          TED

Hey Sandy!

Ah, the heydays of the early 90's. Where kids still played on their front yards, where you knew exactly what time it was because of what was playing on TV, and where awkward and weird were acceptable.

I got nostalgic and just remembered how catchy this song was especially for a kids' show.




Polaris - Hey Sandy!

"Hey smilin' strange! You're lookin' happily deranged. Can you settle to shoot me? Or have you picked your target yet? Hey Sandy!"

LA Marathon 2011

Yesterday a few of my friends and I went to go and support my friend Steve Grande at the finish line of the Los Angeles Marathon. The race started from Dodger stadium and ended at Santa Monica at California and Ocean. I was surprised to see such a turn out for runners and supporters alike especially in the heavy rain that later lead to flash floods later that night.

We were all basically drenched but it felt good to be out in the rain. I was driving in my boxers on the way out because of how soaked I was.  After the marathon we all went down to Mituswa Japanese Market, which is on Centinela,  to get some ramen from Santouka and curry from Misasa. The line was so long, but after being in the rain for a couple of hours ramen definitely hits the spot.

Seeing Steve finish that race is definitely some inspiring stuff, especially in the conditions they were running in. I did a little talking with him, and I feel convinced to run next year's marathon. Something about that runner's high and the form of running itself that feels so liberating. I think this will also add to me sealing the deal of quitting smoking. I started smoking a little before I turned 17 until I turned 21. I used to run out of breath so easily, even when I was running regularly, but now I hardly even feel that way.

Steve also was planning to run a marathon in San Francisco some time during the summer. I remember one of the projects I wanted to work on was following him and his journey marathoning. Maybe this will be my opportunity.

Super Moon

"Earth's closest celestial neighbour will appear to loom larger and brighter than usual on Saturday night, as astronomers anticipate a cosmic event called an "extreme supermoon".

Scientists say the natural phenomenon — in which the moon reaches its closest point to this planet — will cause abnormally high and low tides worldwide.

The occurrences, technically known as "lunar perigees," were previously visible in 1955, 1974, 1992, 1993 and 2005. But what makes this one particularly special is that it coincides with a full moon, which hasn't happened since 1993, according to Geoff Chester of the U.S. Naval Observatory in Washington, D.C."

                                                                      CBC News

I was gassing up when I was coming home from work when I decided to stop by Perry's and pick up my t2i. I left it there awhile back because I was heading to get some drinks after some shooting and didn't feel like lugging around my tripod and lens.

I've actually been anticipating this night and wanted to shoot some footage of the moon for my DSLR project I've been working on. I was planning to waking up at 4pm when the moon was lower and closer, but due to incoming rain clouds it looked like that wouldn't be an option. No matter, I still have a bunch of good closing footage, so I decided to try and get at least a good shot of the moon before the clouds completely mow over it.

I think this is the first time I've ever used the telephoto lens my friend Celina let me borrow. It's a 75-300mm 4.5-.5.6 and never found it practical when shooting since I mostly shot video, but tonight I was really thankful to have it. Thanks Celina :D.

The Adjustment Bureau

Caught "The Adjustment Bureau" last night with Jess, who was suga' momma for the night and took me out for some ramen and a movie. We ate at Koraku, one of our regular places for ramen in Sherman Oaks. The place definitely hits the spot especially when you want ramen after 10pm (it closes at 1am on weekends!), and is one of the few places I know that has curry flavored broth (upon request!)

I can go on and make this a full fledge review about The Adjustment Bureau, but all I really want to say review wise is that it's a solid movie with some interesting special effects and a solid plot. What I really want to bring up is an interesting topic in which the movie brings up the idea of fate and how Matt Damon's character's life is planned out by this unseen almighty being called "The Chairman".

Damon's character, David Norris, is set on a path to become a senator and on to something greater but is interrupted when he meets a woman whom he falls in love with.  The job of the Adjustment Bureau is to reassure he gets back onto his destined path but chance keeps delving him off his predetermined life and back into this love which is not part of the design.

Throughout the movie, the Bureau implies how they are sort of like angels and that The Chairman has been referred by other names such as god. I just find it interesting that an almighty being with an undetermined amount of power requires a whole department to fix mistakes in plans that the Bureau and The Chairman had the power to outline.

Just one of those questions that arise in my mind if God is truly perfect and immune from flaw or that if he makes mistakes just like us.

Currently Stuck In My Head

Toro Y Moi's "Talamak".



I just got his album "Causers of This" and I'm definitely feeling his stuff. It reminds me of a mellow Summer Sunday afternoon.

Half Way Point/2012

Half way done to the semester, and half way to finishing my film portfolio. This year is moving fast, and I'm glad! I'm getting anxious to see what the rest of my college career holds. Because of my reluctance to join the film program sooner, I've basically scratched off every single GE I need, with the exception of a few classes and a speech class (I still feel terrified to this day to speak in front of a class).

This means that the remaining 2 years at CSUN will be majority Film/After Effects classes, which sounds like something that will keep me on my toes creatively. I'm also looking forward to an increase of my GPA because so far in my college career I have never received anything lower than a B for any Film related classes. I just have to keep pushing forward. 

Besides the realm of academics, it seems like the world is going crazy. Libya, Egypt, gas prices, dead anchovies/birds, and the tsunami and quakes in Japan. Altruists will say they're just a normal part of life (political rivalries, mother nature, and natural phenomena) and pessimist will say its nearing the end of the world, which they imply is 2012.

Why do people have to turn to such a retarded answer to things that have been happening on Earth since the dawn of man? Just because some Mayans decided to end a calendar doesn't mean that that will be the end of the world. It's even noted that the Mayan "Long Count" calendar was made to go as far as the year 5000 AD. And even if it is predicted to be some sort of significant date, why would people first run to it being the end of the world? I've read articles that 2012 won't specifically be the end of the world but some sort of radical change. Now my question here is why aren't people opting for maybe 2012 being the day world peace is attained, or the start of a new renaissance of man? And even if you do think the world is going to end, why the hell are you still sitting around moping about how your life sucks? Don't you want to live the last moments you have?

My assumption is that people are using the "prediction" of 2012 as a scape goat for their lives. My life is terrible, I have a shitty job, I haven't finished school, I didn't get what I wanted. Oh - It's alright, the world is going to end on 2012. I just don't mix well with pessimists. I'm guessing these are the same people who have been opting for a "dislike" button on Facebook for years now. I'm already tired of seeing people post negative statuses on my newsfeed. Do I really want to see a string of "thumbs downs" and "dislikes"?

Here's a comic from Kiwis by Beat called "Minus". I've used this before in my old blog, but this seems appropriate for this post.

I don't know where that rant came from, but I'm just tired of all the negativity. Is it that hard to tilt your head up and keep it up?

Okay, got that off my chest. Here's the original "Sleepyhead" music video by Passion Pit. This version was made by lead singer Michael Angelakos and friends. I feel this version is way better than the Columbia Records version.

Thanks Gui Gui

Taken from my good friend Kai's Wordpress.




Definitely feeling this slam poetry :D

It's Getting Warmer

Two things need to happen:

1) Summer

2) To travel far away

I love things like this which seem so naturally shot. It gives that feeling of reality, yet this tropic location makes it so other worldly.

Not so Ashy Wednesday

Today is the start of Lent, which is a Catholic practice of the sorts, and when it comes to religion I've grown a bit distant from the Roman Catholic church itself. I don't agree with too many rules under the church's rule, but I still consider myself a spiritual person who believes in God, or a God.

There are some things I still follow though just for the heck of it and Lent is one of them. Long story short, for Lent, you give up something for 40 days (usually a sort of sacrifice of something you like like sweets, alcohol, Facebook, etc) and I've decided to give up being lazy. This means I'm getting back into running and working out again. Summer is coming along, so I gotta get that summer bod ;D.

Here's what one of my best friends, Erwin, thinks of Ash Wednesday.

Oh, and I came home to this after a long day.

Thanks, Jess! I support Lupe and his battle versus Atlantic Records and vowed to only buy this album and not pirate a lick of it. I'm dead broke and didn't expect to own the album until way later, but I guess my expectations were wrong :D

Ecila

I'm in my Film and Literature class and we're currently on the discussion of the different adaptations of Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll.

All of this reminded me of this edit/remix made by Pogo. He uses sounds from the original 1951 Disney version and makes a full fledged song.



This is definitely something I'd like to mess with a little in the future in terms of editing. I love how people can totally devour something old a spew out something fresh and new again.

Moving.

So I've decided to move from my old LiveJournal account to a blogger account to get a much more professional and less personal feel. I think for the most part, I'll keep things relative, but don't be surprised if I post a few personal things here and there. I've decided to cut things off from my previous blog due to the fact that I've had it for some many years (since 2005) as a personal blog and at some point the blog was even shared by another Joe.

Anyways, continuing where I left off, I'm still testing out my workflow with my DSLR footage from my Canon T2i. I've basically decided to give myself practice with my DSLR by making a simple "daily life" kind of video that I plan to put on Vimeo. Nothing too major, just some days I've shot from February 11 to early March. So far I'm still in the process of cutting it all together, then on to color correcting, and then I plan to add some motion graphics/kinetic typography to make things a bit more interesting. This will be my first personal video project that I have shot and edited on my own in maybe 4 or 5 years, so I'm pretty excited as to how this all turns out.

Here's some finalist videos that caught me eye from the Vimeo Festival. Definitely some good stuff out there.

"Nuit Blanche" by Spy Studios.



And here's one called "Pennies Heart" from Phos Pictures, those same guys who did "Last Minutes with Oden". I'm kind of surprised that they're stuff was so good that two of their videos were nominated for best documentary.



Well, that's for my first post. Hope you treat me well, Blogger.