Haywire, one smashing film

I watched the movie yesterday with my husband. And there’s something odd watching a woman beat up different men while seated beside another man.  I don’t know. Maybe getting the full satisfaction from this girl power showcase lessened in his presence. Nonetheless, I still savored each punch and kick. And damn, that girl can fight. That’s a true female mixed martial arts champion I’m watching there. Yes!

I especially love the hotel room fight scene with Michael Fassbender. A no holds barred brawl with her fully-made up face and gorgeous cocktail dress. He fought like he was fighting a thug.  And if you didn’t see the trailer, his sudden attack from behind after closing the door can be a little unnerving. Good thing, though after collecting her bashed wits, it was like bring it on, brother.

There was a lot of smashing, tackling, subduing, punching, kicking in that small hotel room. A more physical Mr. and Mrs. Smith if you will, less firepower. I mean if a man is going to beat you up or kill you, smash things at him or death-choke him with your legs while lying on bed if you can. Don’t give up without a fight. And in this case, Mallory Kane (Gina Carano) won because she was the better fighter and had something to prove.

Honestly, I expected a faster pace for the movie, more Jason Bourne like. Some scenes were a bit dragging, wobbly in some because these were shot in a handheld camera and some details in the storyline were a little blurry. The plot too, felt rehashed, rogue assassin, revenge. But the fight scenes were quite entertaining and the cobbled streets of Barcelona made quite an impression. Moreover, the cast behind Gina Carano was staggering. Michael Douglas, Antonio Banderas, Ewan McGregor, Tatum Channing and Michael Fassbender. Wow. What a coup of stars.

It’s been a while since I have watched great action by a female figure. I loved Sidney Bristow (Alias) by the way, and I haven't seen the latest season of Nikita by Maggie Q yet, so there. And this movie grabbed me, one powerful action scene after another, each one looking quite authentic and powerful, I enjoyed that.

And before I forget, watching Channing Tatum acting like a jerk was entertaining. It was offbeat, a little risky but it just showed that he’s ready to grow as an actor. Good for him. Even though, I loved his searing performance in Dear John.

So if you happen to pass by a theater or would rather watch it on DVD, Haywire is a movie not to be missed. Especially if you love to see a woman kicking a jerk’s ass or bashing things on his head, for women, at least, it can be oddly therapeutic. 

Heaven is for Real by Todd Burpo, a four year old's view of heaven

After “Embraced by the light” by Betty Eadie, “Heaven is for real” by Todd Burpo is another book that let’s you glimpse through heaven…

“I was desperate for prayer, desperate that other believers would bang on the gates of heaven and beg for the life of our son.”  This passage brought tears to my eyes. I have been there before bargaining with heaven for my son. I thought I have been cynical already, unbelieving. Yet, it touched me because I remembered what it feels like to beg at heaven’s gates.

Honestly, part of me is still a little bit apprehensive. Is this another take on heaven to sell off millions of copies, someone’s attempt to exploit their child? Yes, I know its kinda mean but there are people out there who do it.

However, I want to believe that this is not the case for this book. I want to believe that the child talked about heaven even if part of me is still unsure he wasn’t influenced by his parents especially his Dad who was a pastor. If the father was an atheist farmer, maybe my skepticism would have been minimized. But then again, I’m still in between full belief to a doubting Thomas.

Despite these, there are a lot of heartwarming stories here. Like the story about meeting his grandfather who died before he was born and also meeting the child his mom miscarried who turned out to be a sister. It is also interesting to note that he met Jesus and quipped how kind and strong he was. And that he also met God the Father and God the Holy Spirit and saw Angel Gabriel and Mary near the throne of God and interesting too, are the animals and rainbows he saw in heaven.

In the age of the internet, where everything is digital, fast-paced, stories like these can be hard to believe. I mean is it really true? It sounds simplistic to an adult’s pragmatic mind but in the eyes of a child, he describes it as he sees it. Maybe I have lost that sense of wonder, that belief in miracles.But why am I still drawn to stories like these? Why buy these books?  Maybe because part of me still wants to believe that after living in this world, there is still something better for us out there, that after saying goodbye to loved ones who have passed on, we know that we will still meet again. That “See you or till then” would have been the appropriate phrase and not the word goodbye.

Heaven is for Real is a book that intrigues you, enough to ponder on your beliefs again. It’s not as detailed as “Embraced by the Light” because it was taken from the viewpoint of a child but it makes you see though heaven, God, Jesus in a young person’s eyes. It has that sense of wonderment, that sense of belief, that lack of apprehension that whips a breath of fresh air in a world where most people have lost their innocence and some who have lost their faith. 

My movie review of X-men First Class

I made this review before I started this blog. I was so excited after seeing the film, I wrote this. Of course, I had to edit it a bit because I was almost gushing in its unedited form. And now like the other pieces hidden in my netbook, I want to let it see the light of day, to have it read by others. Maybe those who haven’t seen the film can finally see it on DVD and those who have can appreciate it again. 

Thank you.

A movie review of X-Men First Class

I have to write this before the feeling escapes. A feeling after realizing you have fallen in love or made a startling epiphany about yourself. What started out as a one of the few dates my husband and I have in almost a year transformed me to a witness to a thrilling and an emotional stirring film. It’s been awhile since a film captured and enthralled me like this. A book usually does with its graphic prose and unflinching commentaries but seldom does an action film does this to me.

The acting of James McAvoy and Michael Fessbender is worthy of Oscar nominations for me if this is not comic based movie. The way they held the character together and let the audience see who their characters really were more than their mutant powers is makes this movie worthwhile view. The drama of their friendship and the eventual drifting away due to their different causes is also worth seeing more than the spectacular special effects.

I believe that more than anything that special effects are only the icing in the cake, that it is the story and the evolution of the characters that will make the film more memorable. And this is what this movie has attempted to do and has successfully done so. It has taken the viewer not only on a visual journey but an internal journey, one that he remembers long after he has left the theater. He brings it with him after he has slept and remembers it the day after.

I also believe that films are another art form because like other pieces of art, it has the power to move you and enthrall you. And the thing that successful books and movies does is take the reader or viewer to another world, to another time and most importantly to another emotional landscape. These bring him to another train of thought that never lets go. He is not the same person before the book or the film.

James McAvoy still magnificent in his craft is always a pleasure to watch. A wonderful thespian, you momentarily forget that you’re watching a popcorn movie and not a movie of Shakespeare. His character is so enigmatic he makes every dialogue effortless and believable. He really has this gift of magnifying his emotions enabling audiences to see right through it.

And Michael Fessbender is a wonderful discovery. A good foil to James MacAvoy, he can exchange emotional sequences with him point by point. Like James, you can feel his pain, his anger, a mark of a great actor. His commanding presence coupled with a polished charisma like James Bond is also a sight to watch.

The highlight for this duo was the scene where Magneto (Michael Fassbender) had to channel his power to move a satellite dish. Professor X  (James McAvoy) had to go through his memories and tell him to channel it to the part of his heart that exists between rage and serenity. It was a powerful scene that moved me especially the scene when the two actors are on tears. I also love the part where Professor X had to save Magneto from drowning, to tell him to let go the submarine or risk his life. And more than the actors, I also want to commend the scriptwriter, Simon Kinberg, his words gave the film its heart.

Not many movie can achieve what this movie did, to combine the elements of a good action movie with the heart of the characters. It was a big risk but they have been successful because here the viewers were able to connect with the characters first, taking the back story in thereby heightening their appreciation to the special effects that followed. As such, it gave the movie a more lasting impression. 

Because a movie bloated with special effects and minimal character formulation or weak plot is like eating a lot of icing. It may taste wonderful at first then after a while it loses its appeal leaving one to crave for something more substantial. Similar to someone who is unable to remember what the film was all about after leaving the theater and worse, not remembering it the next day. Fortunately, this did not happen to X-men First Class. Well, to me at least.