Waste of Time Movie

Raise Your Voice - as generic and stereotypical as it gets

Admittedly, there are those who immediately shy away from teen-ish movies or chick flicks. But I’m not one of them. Given a good plot, fresh ideas and witty dialogue, these types of movies can be the most entertaining. Unfortunatly, Raise Your Voice shows off the complete opposite. The plot is about a young girl who goes to a prestigous music academy secretly and against her father’s wishes. Given that, you can already guess what the flow of this movie will be. She struggles to fulfill a dream against parents’ wishes (with a cute boy thrown somehwere in there) who will eventually turn a new leaf. realize her talent and eventually supporting her. …. Been there, done that. Predicitability that forces one to stop watching by one-fourth of the movie. It’s one of those things that try to be inspiring, full of life lessons and religious connotations, but falls flat in its face. Hilary Duff’s terrible acting (and singing) does not help either. Her character demanded more skills and more ability to portray emotions. The dialogue was not well delivered and her facial expressions were lacking. Her crying was so forced that it was annoying and her happy scenes seemed as if she were smiling for a picture. What’s worse, for a movie that had music as an important element, anyone would have soptted the lip synching and air gutar-ing.

I don’t really have a favorite movie. Rather, I enjoy watching a wide range and variety of genres depending on my mood. So maybe I’ll just give a little rundown of a few, if that’s okey. :)

Little Miss Sunshine
I was watching the SAG awards last night and the cast of this particular movie went home the big winner. Much deserved, I must say. As soon as I saw the trailer, I was immediately drawn to the plot (a dysfunctional family on a road trip)…and to Abigail Breslin! If anything, watch this movie for her! I think she’s found herself a number one fan in me. She is the cutest 8-year old that seemingly has been acting for more than 50 years! I’m telling you, she’s got me rooting for her in all the award shows recently (but Jennifer Hudson keeps winning… haha!). But every charter in this movie is definitely a star in his/her own right. The simplicity of the visuals only emphasizes even more the depth and intensity each character actually contributes. What’s more, the deeper and more serious issues touched on by the film are well calculated into the more humorous scenes and setbacks. All in all, it’s a wonderful, witty, clever and sharp comedy that has much more to it than a little girl wanting to be a beauty queen.

The Devil Wears Prada
What more can I say! It’s the holy grail of fashion, fun, sophistication and girly hopes and dreams. I am familiar with the novel and was immediately anticipating the release of its motion picture counter part. And I was definitely not disappointed! …then again, who wouldn’t be looking at all those pretty clothes and shoes! The movie was so visually entertaining, filled with funny comebacks and an exaggerated look into the fashion magazine industry, that the acting would have easily gone unnoticed. But in the end, Meryl Streep proves to us why, after all these years, she’s considered one of the best actresses out there. She does not star in this movie…she makes the movie.

Cruel Intentions
Just because I am madly in love with Sebastian (Ryan Philippe)! Haha! But seriously, this movie is one of those you can’t really take seriously. Though just like any other teen flick, maybe even a guilty pleasure for some, it’s interesting, over-the-top, twisted story line brings it to a higher level. Plus, there’s this over all elegance…in the directing, the set, costumes, etc). Definitely, one of a kind in terms of characterization. Sarah Michelle Gellar gets a lot of credit for playing mean really really well. The pacing and development of the plot was not too abrupt and just right. I’ve watch this only a million times and somehow, I still find myself engaged with what’s about to happen…and Ryan Philippe just really really cute. Haha!

Walk the Line
Noticeably the movie with a more serious tone. I am a big Reese Witherspoon fan and watched almost all her movies. So I was set on watching this one just because she’s there. I didn’t think I’d like it, but surprisingly, I did. First of all, the acting was just…wow. I fell in love immediately with Joaquin Phoenix. He sounded so different! He sounded almost identical to Johnny Cash. And Reese did not disappoint. For both, thief facial expressions hit the mark. It got me so caught up in their scenes and the emotions they were trying to forward. And there’s just this flow in the movie. I don’t know what it is. Plot development? The editing? Either way, it was just really good.

special mention:
Mona Lisa Smile
Moulin Rouge
Oceans 11 (brad piiiiiittt!)

last letter

miiiiiss! i'm so sorry if this is late...but we still don't have electricity! we're running on generator until now and it only comes on 7pm onwards. super sorry...

Dear Lolo,

This is pretty weird. I guess you find this pretty weird too. You know, your granddaughter dying before you. I know ‘weird’ isn’t technically the right term to use at the moment, but considering I am about to die…grammar and proper word usage is sooo the last thing on my mind right now. This might come as a shock to you. This letter I mean. I actually was already decided on addressing this last letter to mom, dad, friends, etc. I even had it all typed out already, all the ‘I love you’ and the ‘I’ll miss you’ tadidadida. But in the middle of it, I realized…this is my last day on earth. This may be the last anyone will ever hear of me. All the things I just wrote, those are things (I hope) people already know. Coz if they didn’t, then my life here on earth would have been a waste. Because I do love all of them and I’ve spent most of my life showing that.

Anywayz, point is…I’d like to take this chance to do something I’ve never done before, something I’ve always wondered and thought about. If there’s anything in this world that is certain, it is that everything happens for a reason…that God has great giant plan for all of us and somehow, it really is all for the best…whether it be my death or your relationship with lola or your relationship with us. Though we never really talked or even saw each more than once every…I dunow…3 years?...I guess I just want you to know that I do love you. I bet you’re laughing right now. But it’s true. I lived my life convincing myself that I never liked you, convincing myself that you are that bad guy everyone says you are. For 16 ½ years, I never stopped running away from you...from the truth. I never stopped blaming you. Only now do I see that, despite everything, the choices you made were indeed for the best…for us and for our family. That you did love us all. So in the end, I guess that is what I want you to know. That I really do love you. And someday, I hope to see you again in heaven. Maybe then, I’ll be able to say it to your face.


Giovanna

another question...

IF YOU COULD ASK A QUESTION TO ANYONE, DEAD OR ALIVE, WHAT WOULD THE QUESTION BE AND WHO WOULD YOU ASK?

I’d ask Eve what the forbidden fruit tasted like. It better be good. I mean, for the prize paid for it, that is the least it could be. Super sad if it were maasim or something. 0_0

If I could ask God just one question...

IF YOU COULD ASK GOD JUST ONE QUESTION, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

Explain your answer briefly, if it isn't self explanatory.

The very, very first thing that came into my mind was: will you bring me to Heaven? …I know it’s weird! But it really was the first thing that popped in. I wanna go to Heaven… But then again, come to think of it, it really is a sort of a stupid answer. (Not that wanting to go to Heaven is stupid!! Of course not. HALLOW. Everyone wants to go to Heaven.) First of all, I was practically asking to die 0_o… to take me away already or something. That is how the question sounds like… This was obviously NOT my intention. I wanna live and grow really old and have lotsa grandchildren and see them get married and stuff! :D ANYWAYZ… I really did not answer the blog question thingy either. Technically speaking (sorry, I like being technical), I was having God DO something for me! I was asking for a FAVOR, rather than an answer. . . which is kinda selfish of me. That’s so sad. =c

…

And sooooooo, that whole paragraph was totally useless. Weh! Now seriously, what IS my “real, thought about” answer? Honest to goodness gracious, I have no idea! There are so many things to ask God! … Like, why do You allow sin in the world? Did Jesus really have to die in order to save us? Was there no other way for us to be saved? Since You’re all almighty, why couldn’t You have just…you know…saved man? Why do You want us all to be saved anywayz? Why do You love us so much? Aren’t You sick and tired of all the evil, pain and suffering man has been causing? And all the whining, and asking? When is the end of the world? Will it be in my lifetime? How will judgment day go about? Where do those jihad people end up? Do they go straight to hell regardless of the fact that they were acting out of “faith and want of Heaven”? What does Heaven look like? Hell? Purgatory? The Garden of Eden? How did Jesus look like as man? Is He anywhere near our current image of Him? Same with Mother Mary? Will World War III ever occur? How exactly does the Blessed Trinity work? Transubstantiation? Who really killed Ninoy Aquino? Jon Benet Ramsey? (teehee… watching ET :D) … I could go on and on and on and on and on. Seriously. But what do I really really want to know?! The ONE question?? Hmmm… (Sorry if this blog is getting really messy and semi-random. That’s only because I’m typing as my brain is processing. 0_o) I guess I’d end up asking Him why it really is so difficult for man to follow and love Him whole-heartedly? Somewhere along that line. OR how the devil really works? (you know, ala “Screwtape Letters” but by as said God! Ehe…) Yeah, that’s cool. In the end, it really is about, finding an answer on how to serve Him better, to love Him in the best possible way and eventually to be happy with Him in Heaven.

….aww, senti moment! :D haha! Kidding…it’s funny though how I sort of backtracked to my original question.

I’ll answer the other question tomorrow. Till’ then….toodles! *flips hair, looks over shoulder, and poses* wahaha!

Woopsy! This is so not “briefly”. 0_0

What was the funniest thing I did when I was a baby?
huh? Who made these questions? I don’t know (thinks for a very long time...long long time…silence…talks to my brother…I ask it again. She does not mind me…after a loooong time…) what did the others put? Copy nalang! uhhh… smell your poop? How can I remember? That was 16 years ago!

What was my first word?
oh my gosh….can’t you just put I have amnesia na?! uhm….ma? ba?! Abakada! (laughs really loud 0_0)

What was my favorite food / first food?
what is this? We have to look at the baby book! I guess baby food! Gerber...apple flavor, I think. Milk. Hahaha! …Is that food?

What was the craziest thing you did when you were a student?
me? Or you? ME?! … errr….play hooky. Skip class.

How did you and dad meet?
In school. We had the same barkada in college. Since we studied abroad, there was this sort of Filipino community. And my cousin, your Tita Carminia was the one who introduced me to him. They were classmates.

If you could do anything other than what you are doing now, what would it be?
I want to do a lot of things! Travel! Go to Paris and shop! Go shopping. Have a vacation. Spa. I want a good massage.

Tell me a secret you kept from your parents.
I don’t have a secret. Nothing. No secret…uhh…went to a party. I tried smoking once.

Tell me something about you I still don’t know.
What don’t you know about me? ….Ah, I know na. I had a boyfriend before who proposed to me when I was 19. That’s why Papa Bob (my lolo) sent me to the States to study college. He wanted me as far away as possible from him.

Who Am I?

I hate this question. I pretty much confuse my own self with who i am so I’ll probably end up confusing you too. But oh well…since, I have to…bare with me...Haha! I’m just going to randomly type things that enter my head.

My name is Maria Giovanna Angelica M. Vera. A lot of people call me a lot of things, but in school, it’s mostly giovy (spelled any way you want..), giovs, or just Giovanna. I really don’t prefer one over the other, so it’s all good. Many people ask me about my name. So to spare you your saliva…it’s the girl version of the Italian name for John (Giovanni). I was born on St. John’s feast day but my parents thought all along that I was going to be a boy. Something with the ultrasound, stupid nurse…long story. Point is, they simply changed the I in Giovanni to an A. And no, I am NOT Italian. I guess my parents just wanted something…international? I am 50 percent Ilongga, 50 percent Kapampangan…100 percent Pinoy.

I am 16 years old, hoping to stay that way forever. My birthday is two days after Christmas. That’s December 27…in case you don’t know how to compute…or you don’t know when Christmas is. Just saying so you know when to send me a gift. Haha!

I have an 11 year old brother, named Martin and a 4 year old dog, named Duchess. They’re both equally spoiled and babied at home. I love them both equally too, but if I had to send one of them to the desert, I’d send Martin. I just seriously think he has more chances of survival.

My mom is my best friend. It’s hard to miss that we’re so alike and that we have the same little quirks. I’m about 90 percent sure that I’m going to grow up to be exactly like her. I’m still trying to figure out if that’s a good thing or not. Haha…kidding. Of course it is. I love my mommy…But I’m still a daddy’s girl at heart.

I enjoy watching T.V. series, more than movies. When I was in first year, I distinguished the days of the week thanks to what was showing on Star World or Studio 23. And I would forego studying for a tv show in a heartbeat. Those were the good old times. That’s next to impossible now…except on Tuesdays when the OC is on…ahaha! Oh, and if I don’t understand what you’re trying to say…relate it to The OC…I swear I’ll get you then. But my all time, never going to change forever favorite is still F.R.I.E.N.D.S. It’s universally timelessly funny. And I have a lot of memories attached to that show.

I love traveling. My dream is to be able to visit every single country in the world, even Iraq and Somalia and places like that. I’m very grateful to my parents for giving me a head start towards fulfilling that dream. I super want to take a year off after high school to just travel the world! Two years ago, that seemed like such a big possibility. Now …err…not so much. Oh well. I’ll just have to study really hard, get a good paying job, work, save up, and maybe someday, find the time to do exactly that. OR…simply wait until my rich (cute) husband-to-be, who is out there somewhere, will finally find me and we’ll fly around the world together in his private Boeing 747… I prefer the latter.

I am very mababaw. It’s super easy to make me laugh, even easier to make me smile. Little things make me happy. And I really believe that laughter IS the best medicine. It solves everything. Life is too short to be taken seriously…At least that’s what I TRY to live by. But sometimes, I can just be one big drama queen. Drama can be good though, but most of the time it’s not. So my school year’s resolution is to try and avoid it as much as possible. Senior year will be all about friends, enjoying, laughing, smiling…good times.

I think I’m a responsible and diligent student. I stress on the word think because I’m not too sure if other people will agree with me. Haha! But I basically do things because I have to. I do everything required of me…nothing more, nothing less. I dream of studying college in Yale or Stanford or Harvard or University of Singapore or any ivy league school because the campuses are so nice! Does that make me shallow? Haha! But I highly doubt that’s going to happen. So my sights are on Ateneo at the moment. I still don’t know what course I’m going to take or what my career path is…bahala na. There’s always shifting anyway.

People say I’m intimidating. Am I? I don’t think I am. Maybe it’s because I’m tall. Hehe. I can be noisy and I tend to blab on and on and on about stuff. And I know I am maarte. No need to rub it in. Haha! I prefer calling it, being "feminine”. Haha! Shopping is my vice. I just get such a wonderful feeling when I have new stuff. It's weird. Especially when it’s clothes and shoes! Eeek…So one good piece of advice, do not leave me with a big amount of cash or a credit card. Trust me.

I seriously think I’m starting to blab. Hehe. So I’m just going to put in random things now. My favorite type of food is Italian. My favorite color is pink, but baby blue is close. I love dogs, hate cats. I am Brad and Jen all the way. Cruel Intentions is my favorite movie. I don't have a favorite genre of music, or artist. I'm versatile when it comes to that. I still think the smartest thing I ever did in HS was try-out for debate...friends-wise and college application forms-wise. I want to have a big family when I grow up. I believe in animal's rights. I sing in the shower. I love my friends…every single one of them. I love my barkada. After how many years, people left then people came…but I think it’s perfect how it is now. Perfect perfect perfect. I don’t know what I would do without them. I love IVC. I love batch 2007. I love Woodrose, though sometimes it’s hard to admit. I love my family very very very much, no matter how dysfunctional they can sometimes be. And I love God. *bow*