X-Men Origins: Wolverine

I'm sure by know every one knows that Hugh Jackman is indeed multi-talented.

I swear I let out a little squeal in the cinema when I saw this trailer. Excuse me, what Wolverine? I'm gearing up to see Remy LeBeau also known as GAMBIT! (yes.. I'm going to pick up my jaw from the ground now.. ) My favourite alpha-level X-Men will be played by none other than the dashing Taylor Kitsch. Pardon me, who?????? You might remember Taylor from his other minor roles in non-movies such as 'John Tucker Must Die' and 'Snakes on a Plane'. Seriously, congratulations to Mr Kitsch on finally getting his big break *clap clap*. I've been thinking for a very long time which lucky young actor in Hollywood (names like Chris Evans and Clive Owen came to mind..) would be able to fill those shoes.. work that leather trench coat.. speak fluent French.. and throw energy charged playing cards with exceptional accuracy. Of course there will be computer graphics and special effects to help him with most of that but I'm still very eager to see how he lives up to my extraordinary Gambit-expectations.

Also be on the look out for Ryan Reynolds (Deadpool), Liev Schreiber (Sabretooth) and a delightful cameo by the littlest of the Olsens, Michael-James Olsen.

Opening April 29. Can't wait!

" Love is passion, obsession, someone you can't live without. If you don't start with that, what are you going to end up with? Fall head over heels. I say find someone you can love like crazy and who'll love you the same way back. And how do you find him? Forget your head and listen to your heart. I'm not hearing any heart. Run the risk, if you get hurt, you'll come back. Because, the truth is there is no sense living your life without this. To make the journey and not fall deeply in love - well, you haven't lived a life at all. You have to try. Because if you haven't tried, you haven't lived."

- William Parrish, Meet Joe Black.

One of my favourite quotes from one of my favourite movies of all time. I first watched it when I was 12 and of course I had no fleeting idea of what it was about. I just remember that this was one of the first movies I saw Claire Forlani in and completely fell in love with Brad Pitt while he was licking peanut butter off a spoon. So.. recently I decided to watch it again. And again.

Inspired by a film in the 1930s called "Death Takes a holiday", Meet Joe Black presents a pleasant example of irony where Death decides to see what it is like to be alive. Then there is a twist which involves taking out the obvious haunting morbidity that a story of death entails and turning it into life affirmation and discovery of love. All of that was coupled with the captivating performance by Hollywood's heavyweight, Sir Anthony Hopkins, and the undeniable on-screen chemistry between Brad Pitt and Claire Forlani. I also appreciated the picturesque set-designs, especially the interior of the triplex penthouse apartment, the elaborately decorated gazebo at the birthday party and the magnificent (albeit computer generated) fireworks display at the Hudson River.

I took such a long time to draft this post and still I can barely find the right words to describe this movie. So if you haven't seen it.. go buy the dvd, borrow it from me.. or download it from somewhere. Even if its just to see Anthony Hopkins in non-silence-of-the-lambs mode... watch every bit of it, multiply it by infinity and take it into the depths of forever, then only will you have a glimpse of what I am talking about. Quote and unquote.

Good Morning!

Just a quick post in order to spur me on to update this further so that my friends don't think I'm rotting away somewhere.... I tend to go through these mad phases where I can blog 2 or 3 times a day and suddenly disappear for months.

I'm back in Melbourne.. the city where I wake up to spring, have lunch in the summer, cook dinner in autumn and fall asleep in the winter. Really. The day can start off being beach worthy and 2 minutes later it will be hailing. Nuts.

Current update: I have yet again woken up late for Tuesday's 8am lecture. Since the daylight savings ritual hasn't kicked in (at least not for another couple of weeks), every Tuesday I wake up before the sun does and that throws me off.. so I just go back to sleep. I'm in school now... hiding in the corner of the 'secret' computer lab with my mocha trying to waste another 37 minutes before my next lecture by playing Facebook Biggest Brain.

I want to eat teo chew porridge.

I thought it is finally about time I join in the Twilight saga and share some of my thoughts about the movie/book and then some. Others may disagree, but I felt like it was a genius move on my part to watch the movie first before reading the book, since it can really only get better from there. I still managed to somehow comprehend some of the more profound details in the movie thanks to my friend, Shan, who wouldn't shut up about the book once she got her hands on it a few months ago (i.e. Edward's mind reading powers and his ability to smell the scent of Bella's blood from miles away). I'll leave the comparison to the book aside for a little while.. and just say that the movie did not really live up to all the hype. It was like as if i went into the cinema expecting a lavish feast and all I got in return was diet water. Okay, maybe that was a little harsh. Most of the actors were unknown (way to go Summit entertainment on saving money!) and we only know our long lost (or dead) friend Cedric Diggory who took on the role as the supposedly "impossibly beautiful" diamond-esque Edward Cullen. I'll get back to him in a moment.

First I want to say that Kirsten Stewart, or Kstew as she is affectionately known, is a terrible actress. I've youtube-d some of her interviews and she is exactly the same off camera as she is on camera. Which can really be good or bad but I choose to interpret it as her not even acting at all. The thing I was most disappointed about was that (okay I am bringing the book now..) in the book, Bella was constantly in awe in Edward's presence. Her heart will jump each time he touches her and she will forget to breathe the moment he smiles at her. There wasn't any of that! I wasn't sure whether she loved him at all. It was almost as if she loved her red truck a lot more.

Now on to everybody's favourite veggie vamp, Edward. (woo! cue fainting girls and heart palpitations). It's a good thing he didn't have any lines to say during the first couple of scenes because that helps brings the focus to the lousy make-up and draws attention away from him obviously struggling with an American accent. So if anyone's keeping score, that's Ed Westwick 1 and Rob Pattinson 0. I distinctively heard him slip in some British flavour when he said to Bella, "You're father's going to forgive you." Uh-oh.. Busted! I bet no one else caught that huh! Why? Cos I'm indeed a freak when it comes to scrutinizing the things I watch. Other than that I think Robbie did try his best to portray that tortured, conflicted, unhappy-with-his-tofu Vampire that we have all grown to love... and lust for.

You know what was a pleasant surprise.. and probably another ressurection from the dead..? The moment I saw James (that pony-tailed, unwashed, nomad Vampire). I immediately thought.. HELLO VOLCHOK! It seems like only yesterday that he and Ryan Atwood were going at it on the beach along Orange County. and now he got cremated in a ballet studio. Sigh.

Still.. despite all my criticisms, I loved the movie and I was impressed with the soundtrack. It is after all only an ADAPTATION and one can't expect a lot from a 400 page book condensed into a mere $35million worth, 2-hour long movie. and I really did walk out of the cinema with the strong urge to rape somebody, especially with all that overwhelming sexual tension that is Edward's and Bella's lips taking a good 28 seconds to finally touch.

and yes, Happy new year!

images: Vanity Fair

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

I just had a dream that I was a contestant on Don't Forget the Lyrics.. and I had to wear a ballet leotard... and the song I had to finish was Interstate Love Song by Stone Temple Pilots... and I won $3000.

Nice.

It's that time of the year again! That special time in November where Blair gets overly OCD about traditions and the Van der Woodsens always have no where to eat. We all know by now that in the upper east side, 'thanksgiving' is a four letter word. So don't start basting the turkeys just yet, because Jenny is about to do a Mariah Carey. To think that she actually claimed that she did her research on emancipation.. and by research does she mean just checking up 'emancipation' in the dictionary? Stupid girl, of course your parents have to be notified! That part really didn't make any sense. Aaron ups the ante and makes a homecooked meal for Serena while she admires the stalker-ish photo collage on the wall he had dedicated to her. But you really got to marvel at the power this caterpillar has over Serena, she has to be an entirely different person just to hold on to him. It's so exciting to watch her get stressed up ! and.. her stylist was obviously also on Thanksgiving break, because what the hell was she wearing? Can't believe Aaron didn't even take a peak at the dirty secrets file, I would psychoanalyse every word and laminate it! and is it me or is Chuck really the only one on the show who is really enjoying being rich. It seems like everyone else is being the ultimate epitome of cliche by adopting the "money can't buy happiness" attitude. Yea we all know that Chuck also begs for some attention from his dad but that doesn't stop him from going all out and having his servants shave his chin for him. Nate didn't get any more air time than Dorota even though the title of the episode had his name in it. That didn't make sense either. I really wouldn't be too relaxed just as yet if I were him because it looks like Vanessa has some sort of fatal attraction thing going on which doesn't exactly spell honeymoon period. Somewhere else in Brooklyn, tension was certainly building up in the supermarket. My dear Dan Humphrey, passive aggressive much? Just when I thought he couldn't annoy me any further, Dan turned into the jealous ex-boyfriend right in front of the vegetable aisle. and Lily, you're such a naughty married woman you. Sometimes I really just feel like giving Bart Bass a hug.

images: www.cwtv.com

Alessandra Ambrosio (was) Pregnant??

Our favourite Victoria's Secret angel got knocked up!!! Considering I am such an obsessed tabloid junkie, I can't believe I never knew that until now! Did you know?? She reportedly gave birth in early August this year. But fret not! She miraculously pulled a Heidi Klum stunt and is back to her hot, svelte self and you can check her out at the 2008 Victoria's Secret Fashion show airing in December. The baby's father is her long-time boyfriend and the pictures were taken at her baby shower during the summer. Lucky guy.. and baby!

Check out sexiest man alive and his mini me-s. These are some candid shots taken of the Beckham boys at a recent LA Lakers game. Man.. this guy really knows how to melt my heart. You never ever see Brad Pit doing this with the kids and his psycho wife. That random helpful lady taking the photos really scored that night. I'm really hoping Victoria gets pregnant with a girl the next time, surely they are hoping for that as well. I remember watching one interview where she said she has this entire room filled with all her clothes she has worn, even those from the Spice Girls era. She said if and when she has a daughter, she would pass them all to her. I can't wait! Even though that actually means their daughter has to be as skinny as her... hmm.

Images: www.zigazig-ha.com

Perverse Pleasures:

I like to watch TV shows / movies over and over again just so that I can spot continuity issues. Nothing escapes my eyes.

The exam season is finally over! For me and a select few at least. I've been living in the library for so long I can actually imitate the accent of the automated voice in the elevator. Results are a different issue altogether though, but for now.. It's ladies night!

Calling the Humphrey family! Doctor Phil is ready to see you now! Oh, what a shocker. Looks like families in Brooklyn are just as dysfunctional as those in the Upper East Side. I think it's about time to wake up your idea, Rufus! While I'm sure it adds cool factor points for adopting the go-follow-your-dreams style of parenting , right about now will be appropriate to show both your kids exactly who's boss. Maybe take some lessons from Bart and Chuck, who despite years of animosity, were able to go into full on father-son bonding mode after reading a story written by Brooklyn's finest. With Vanessa absent from this episode, Jenny now reigns as the character with the worst haircut that really makes her look more Carol Brady and less rock 'n' roll. But that's not the only thing going wrong for little J especially when Agnes went all pyros over the pioneer dresses of J-Humphrey Designs to create vanity's bonfire. In the midst of screaming "Damn, woman! Grab your dresses and make a run for it!", I was actually anxiously anticipating a classic, dramatic Jenny meltdown! In other areas, Serena's milkshake was bringing Aaron to the yard and he displayed some very unconventional, yet refreshing methods of courtship. But wait! Don't get too happy yet, S! Because apparently, yours was merely the flavour of dairy for the week as our favourite caterpillar still has many girls lining up outside his door. Nicely done there. Someone really needs to get Serena off her narcissistic high horse! With her acting all coy and shamelessly pretending to dislike being the centre of attention, her photo shoot was unbelievably painful to watch. She even bailed on her bestfriend's 18th birthday party for goodness sake! Speaking of which, why do they only ever celebrate Blair's and Jenny's birthdays? I'm also sure many of my friends were disappointed that there was no half-naked Nate coming out of the bathroom to say good morning. Instead, the show's leading man-candy was replaced by none other than adorable Cyrus Rose! I knew it! Oh, Josh Shwartz.. you really do know how it's done. And who would have thought Dorota was really just a girl wanting to have fun? XOXO.

images: www.cwtv.com