Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice

  The last time I watched a movie in IMAX was Iron Man 2. I suppose that it was kinda a very bad sign. That feeling of uneasy started, well thanks to that final trailer! Great job!

I had a whole day thlinking it's not how good it was but it's more of how they could have done or at least made it right. Yes, I even posted as this film compared to Pacquiao vs. Mayweather mega ultra super fight which it ended up, a money making grab machine that we felt lost. Inevitably. 
I was surprised, that after the film ended, I mean when that final shot was shown, everybody clapped! They had a very great time. Anyway, yes I'm ranting about it but still, I can say, it was worth the IMAX viewing and worth collecting. But watching it again.. I'll wait for the following flicks from this DC universe they put in. 

Let's go straight to the major flaws. First one, well.. Editing! There were a lot of scenes that I was surprised it's happening all of the sudden without any build up or explanation then it's finished. One great example, the future scene. I can't believe they needed that scene and put it in the story. I was confused especially how it ended. They could have like remove it. How about the intro scenes of Batman, they could done like as a recurring nightmare bits by bits or just cut it off. The jumping of scenes of Superman's arch and Batman's arch.. It's just I did not follow it. 

Another problem, dialogue/screenplay. Oh, yes, it's like indeed sucker punch. I don't know what the screenwriters did or what WB planning to do, what are there goals for this film but it has a lot of stories, it just did not work as a single plot. Oh no, especially at that last part of the film, I mean on all the reason that Bat and Superman fought was because of a threat. Geez.. They could made it simpler at the beginning. Man of Steel has a fun factor, this one, only some few, very few fun dialogue or moments. It's just they tried to make it all work but ended up, almost failed. Even some action scenes done, I don't know, some of it just did not make sense. Like what happened to Lois Lane, I don't know why they thought of making her the saving grace. Geez.. There were also a lot of like this happened. Yes, I felt that the movie, despite 3 years of waiting to make it happen, it was so rushed and just put it together like it has a very tight deadline. No kidding.. 

Flaw number 3, it was very long. It dragged me some time and yes, if they fixed the first 2 major issues, I won't feeling this way. But it was very long and some scenes should have removed or at least improved. I don't know how the director's cut of 3 hours will help this movie. I'll definitely wait for that cut, coz Zack done that in Watchmen and it kinda help. I don't know with this one. First hour was all talking, political then shifts to a thriller because of Batman and very few action scenes. Then at the second part, it became more action but less talking then I hope the Mega Battle was long but it was short, abrupt but awesome. I hope well, my suggestions below definitely helps the movie.

Lastly, the last biggest flaw. Doomsday! There were other flaws but I kinda forgave it and just focus in the major ones.. This one, I can't let it pass. the problem of the film at the first part of it was for movie critcs. For fans of the characters, I think they can forgive the other flaws, but I don't they will let it pass the Doomsday part. It's like, this villain can be in Man of Steel 2 or 3. Or may justice league movie in the future. But yes, sorry for the spoiler.. Blame the final trailer and it is true. It's Doomsday and yes, it finished fast. It's like Red Skull in Cap America or Ultron in the last year's Avengers. Great entrance, last appearance! Damn... It really dashed my expectations. Red Skull or Ultron, or even Bane in DKR had a longer time in the film, this one, it has very short appearance. But scary appearance. I just hope, they just let BvS run the fight until the end or different villain. Rushed is rushed. Sorry..

Another flaws like the CGI was very evident especially the final arch. Understandable due to the scale of destruction but it was not really polished. Another dent was the intro of the other Justice League members. I thought Aquaman will show in the drowning scene, or Flash will just pass by, Cyborg will be Cyborg. No idea about him, or how about Green Lantern.. But sorry, the only great appearance stood out besides the 2 main characters, was Wonder Woman. 

Only 4 things struck me in this movie. First, great visual treat especially in IMAX. I loved how picture shown in IMAX especially the climatic battle of BvS and some normal scenes look great. Slow motion as a staple in the film works, but not all the scenes. It's like 60-40, more scenes worked in slow motion than other scenes.  

Another thing I love was the basic concept. Batman vs. Superman. Period. Great looking Superman then a rugged, scary and big Batman fighting each other. Despite it was not executed thru substance, they made it look good. I hope that their big fight was extended a few minutes more. I hope their first meeting was not that short. It has great looking settings, except the last parts especially when Doomsday shows up. My only concern that was the shots when someone thrown in the building or high in the sky or goes thru buildings. I hope they focus it more than it was focus out from the camera. Its like too far and the buildings are bigger than the hereos. But it still great looking and very visually appealing. 

Batman's character, was a great asset in this film. I was wrong about Ben Affleck being the Bat and damn he delivered. At last, he has a role he can deliver and be great into it. I was smiling that a batman with a big body, old man yet, a killing machine went into screen. I love that Batman in the full armor suit. I thought he'll be like Iron Man, but he did not. So, he still did not fly. hehe But Ben as Bruce Wayne is just right and I hope, not trilogy again. Just one Batman film starring Ben will be great. Even this Bat was slow, well he's old, but that grit and scary big guy, that's a badass Batman. 
Lastly, the actors did their job just fine. Except, for Jessie Eissenberg as Lex Luthor. It's like if other critics call it like Riddler that was high. I describe Jessie's take on Lex was like FB's founder when became psychotic. I mean, Lex I saw him as a quiet rich dude who knows what to do despite he did not know how to do it. I mean, he's not a scientist but he knows he can defeat Superman. Things like that. He's a leader and a menace to Superman. I just remember Jessie's role in the social network and yes, he just done it again, the only difference, he's hyperactive.  Other roles, like Amy Adams as Lois Lane was good except what she was advised to do. Alfred! Oh my God, Jeremy Irons is perfect as Alfred. Another different Alfred here, he's more of a partner, than a butler here. I like it. Then Ben Affleck, cool and menacing Batman.. I love the batcave, his batmobile, the batplane and his weapons as well. Henry Cavill as superman, same in the Man of Steel, very composed and not really exagerrating. 

Due to his fewer screen time, I love Man of Steel than this one. But he still did a great job. How about Kevin Costner, despite a really nonsense scene, still good being Clark's dad. Diane Lane also did a good job still as mom of Bruce despite the short time. Gal Gadot! Wonder Woman yeah. Give her a movie now. hehe The role is fit for her but the problem, is the Wonder Woman's story. Yeah.. So I hope they'll do the spinoff right for her. I was looking for the invisible jet though. hehe Despite the failures of the screenplay, these actors made the film running and yeah, I love the cast. Even Holly Hunter as the senator, which sad to say, cut short. 

Ok, I can't believe that despite I watched the reviews days before the release, I did not believe them. At the time the reviews were there, I kinda hoped for the best. But after 2 and a half hours of mayhem, unanimously, I agreed with them. 

I hope or thought of these suggestions that before making this film, help to make it great. One, they could just create Man of Steel 2, then another Batman film with suprise cameo of Wonder Woman, then pit off in BvS. Or if WB doesn't want to wait and yes, their eagerness to beat marvel shown in this film flaws. They rushed to build the excitement for Justice League by showing those funny cameos. Oh God, I hope they had a better intro for Cyborg. 

Anyway, WB can make this film but focus in the simpler approach why BvS will happen. No Batman intro, just make him appear right away and do what he needs to do how to defeat Superman. No Lex Luthor or Doomsday. That plot of accidentally, Superman destroying Gotham was enough good story they can build on and fight. Nothing more or less, right? 

Yes, I recommend, that for Justice League, put another director please. Zack done his job, I can give him Man of Steel 2 or even Batman solo film. But not Justice League. Please WB, make the right choice. 

Well, thanks to this, I'm now waiting for Civil War than ever. I already planned to skip this Civil War unless some of my friends will invite me to watch. But I changed my mind, no friend or alone, I'll watch Civil War. 

I just thought of the X Men  apocalypse. This is also the reason why instead the real 4 horsemen of Apocalypse villains, they used Storm, Psylocke, Magneto and Angel against the XMen. Besides, they're under Fox anyway. Of course, I'll never miss that film. I'm anticipating this than Civil War. 
Suicide Squad? Oh yes, I really ignore that one but after watching this.. I'll line up for that movie! 
I still recommend this movie but if you have a chance to avoid it and not curious about it. 
Not a bad choice. Wait for the next films indeed.

I'll just watch Daredevil vs. Punisher for the mean time from Netflix.

Not Showing: Yakuza Apocalypse

When a report says that Miike Takashi will be back to his roots, everybody got excited. I am one of his fans that look forward about this film, especially when that title came out.  I thought, he will go back indeed.  Even those films were outright crazy, it has a lot of sense and some of his crazy films were fantastic.

Not for this film. 

Well, after watching this flick for over 2 hours, I kinda thought, he rushed going back in his gonzo genre. Two things I did not like in this new film of his, first was yeah, sensibility. I mean, after all those mayhem for 2 hours, the ending was kinda flat and hanging. I'm glad it ended at that time. Geez, I felt it just made no sense. Almost felt I wasted 2 hours. I thought that Visitor Q, which was the film I ranked the worst he made, made more sense. 
Second thing, there were repetitive action scenes and not polished scenes. I don't know if he intended to do it or he also rushed it. I felt some scenes I hoped it was done differenly and some, just cut it. By the way, Mad Dog was not really utilized in this film, especially that last fight scene he has. Geez.

Anyway, not all fails in this film. Besides with the cool movie title, 3 good things happened in this film. First, wow, I love the first scene and some of the action scenes there. Sorry to spoil, but also how that yakuza blood scattered all over, I love that concept and yes, the mayhem. Indeed, he is back. Despite that rushed feeling in this film, he is back and I hope in the future, he'll think of more of this crazy films. Ah, another thing I like in this film, even he under used Mad Dog, I love how he utilized the cast. I mean the only known star in this film is Lily Franky, I don't know the lead star Hayato but the characters fit in its cast. Even that battered leading lady was good and I'm searching her name. hehe But other stars done a good job. Well, yeah I like that frog dude even he did not show his face and is that a korean star? Love that suit he wore. 

Miike was able to improve a lot using his cast as time goes by. Compare from his previous films which he uses small cast, but as time went by, even he has a bigger cast, the cast delivers! Last thing I like in this film, looks great! Even with a weird plot, I mean it looks Takashi has a big budget for this film and spent it wisely. Effects used were good and doesn't feel he used a lot of CGI. Like I said before, if some action scenes were not good. Some were great, especially that Lily Franky first scene. That really kick ass! hehe 

Anyway, I hope Miike was able to finish this film in order. It's a waste that it ended that way but I know.. He'll come back with a different film and same vibe. Well, Miike has done a lot of films with all the genres you can think of. I know he'll do another film better than this. 

By the way, about the title, when you finished watching this, it's easy to understand. Don't worry. 

Suck more blood! Not Yakuza blood.. 

Kung Ako'y Isang..

(Jordan Belfort or investor scammer)

Sumali ako sa MLM dati pero di ko kinaya. Mabuti na lang maliit yun investment and well, di ko trip na mang recruit ng downline para lang sa pera at magiging bula lang. hahaha 
However, after watching the Wolf of Wall Street, hmmmmm pwede! Pwedeng manggoyo. hahaha Kung ako kay Jordan, di ako masyado maglulustay or defining laws kasi simple lang naman, wag abuso masyado at yayaman ka di oras. Basta controlado mo yun mga associates mo at siyempre yun galaw mo tantsado. Di kagaya sa film na lahat ng kasama mo, out of control, morally well immoral na and most of all, very indeed greedy.

Thank God to our BSP. Kahit third world tayo, but our country's financial picture is stable. I mean wala naman bangko sa tin nagsara due to financial crisis or mortgage downturn. Ni di nga nagpabail out unlike in the US, even the biggest banks or oldest financial houses either close or just merging together into becoming one big crap. Pero siyempre pinas eh maraming utang pero pag nagsingilan eh marami naman tayong dollar reserves right? hehe What I'm saying, well may mga scam tayo, more on MLM, investment, or pyramid scam, or now Pork scam. Di pinapayagan kasi ng BSP or SEC na ang shares ng company eh public selling until nakalista sa stock exchange. That what you called stupid rule, kinda save us from more scams or financial chaos. 

Kung wala yun, naku, ako? Puhunan lang eh telepono, yellow pages, at now internet, at tawag tawag lang, ah kaunting outbound sales technique, ayun.. Million pesos in a month, lalo kung 50% commission ang pagbenta ng pink sh*t stocks este penny stocks. hehe I wish gwapo din ako ni Jordan. hahaha You can scam hmmmm just walk in sa offices, clubbing or simple friends.  all the great chicks, este Ladies, kaunting pasikat lang, get what you want.. Geez, iniisip ko, yun mga outbound sales hard core agents, kung pwede dito yun style sa film, sila ang yayaman. Madali lang sa kanila to! 

Wow, tapos siyempre kung rat holes lang paguusapan, may smart padala or western, ilagay sa mga taong magtatago or better yet, other banks, especially the international banks, with some money laundering techniques and bogus corporation styles, lusot ang pera sa bangko at wala ibang hahawak. Si Napoles kasi, magjoint account, eh may pangalan niya, dapat di ganun. hahaha Kaya ayun freeze lahat. Halata masyado. 

Although di maiiwasan magyabang, eh dapat lie low. Not humble, iba to. Deception. Lie low, low profile, less friends, close friends. Trusted partners in crime, este business partners, aba basta less chance of leaking out, at wag gastos ng grabe kasi sa tax ka naman mahuhuli, eh lusot lusot na to. Look at Mardoff, 50 years of ponzi scheme ata, ayun nahuli lang kasi bagsak lahat ng investment thru that mortgage, and ponzi style pa. Pero ang tagal bago siya nahuli. 

Kung ako yun, kung nahuli na at wala na, that time, I won't be here anyway. Exiled in a summer island. hahahahaha Hay, sarap siguro ng ganun. 

However, whatever excess you have by doing this evil, it will be taken away from you everything. Look at Scarface. Or Godfather or Enron or Gordon Gekko or even Jordan.

At least he ammended his ways.

Mabuti na nga lang di ako ganun. =)

Movie Lib 2

Almost 900++ movies.. and counting..

Almost around 10000++ songs..

Ah may mga apps pa and some stuff around a hundred.

6 months of managing such storage.

Countless years and huge hours of waiting,,

1TB is not enough. hahahaha

Grabe, ngayon namomoproblema ako san ko na ilalagay yun iba. 

It's not done yet!

I can say, 50% na mga gusto ko makuha na flicks nakuha ko na. Dumami lang kasi sa kakavisit sa mga trusted movie sites. hehehe Imdb.com addict. hahaha

Siyempre wag kalimutan ang mga reliable sites. Ehem alam na.

Still 10-15%  pa din ang number kung sa lahat na nakuha ko eh napanood ko na. Wala pang sa one third. Lalo ngayon busy sa ibang bahay and errands. Nadelay na din ang mga film fest ko. 

Pero, pag nabawas bawas na ang mga pest.. Kailangan makita na yun mga flicks. hehe 

Toshiba na yun target ko na external HDD, 500gb muna. Tight budget. Pero pagtagal, malamang kukuhan ako backup na HDD, 3TB na para matapos na yun backup sa DVD. hehe Mahirap kasi magayos ng mga DVD na files. Marami at magulo. 

WD is kinda good, as reviewed pero one news came out na Toshiba HDD na ang most reliable and stable due to the report na less instance na magcrash na HDD. WD eh nasa gitna at mabuti di na ko Seagate fan. hahaha

Well, I'll keep getting the films I want to watch, more classics, indies, world or art or indie flicks around the globe, pinoy flicks which are always hard, controversial ones which kinda gives you a thrill. hehe Memorable siyempre at ngayon, Anime siyempre, classic series, OVA and movies! Japan flicks, kinda drawn to it which I'll explain later. =)

My library is still one file, thanks sa excel, naayos yun problem ko sa classifying. hehe

Para pag may humingi, pili na lang ha. 

I want to thank.. Hmmm my bizarre internet connection plus those best source sites. Alam na nila kung sino sila. At sana di sila mawala! hahahaha

Next time, how big this library will be? Bigger than the Lourdes Library? 

Yeah right. 

Punks Not Dead

i know to myself that my preferred genre in music is Rock. Well, from my nursery years going forward, I get used to listen to new wave 80's! Then going to high school, that was like the years of grudge and punk stuff. Although I still listen to new wave and New Order then became deeper due to some personal issues, I listened to Joy Division. An escape from daily conflicts and enjoying the dark lyrics of such band.

As I grew up and became aware of their type of sound, well they started as a punk band. At their time at around 1970's Manchester, they were awesome bands such as Sex Pistols, The Clash and Buzzcocks.  When they toured in the US which I don't have the exact band, that started the US punk bands. 

I became older and curious which are those bands, I found out such as The Ramones, Minor Threat, and that's it. But well, great thing, there is a documentary for this!

First of all, what is punk rock? Well, with all the genres about rock from Hard Rock, Alternative, Grundge, Pop or Slow, or there is also Goth/Emo type, NuMetal, and a lot of varieties. Punk is kinda different from all of it. You see, other types of rock well they kinda only differ in rhythm or pace they use. For Punk, all you need are trashy lyrics, at least one bassist, one lead, vocalist and a simple drummer and a lot of energy! 
This documentary really made punk music easy to understand. From those UK great punk bands, up to the first US punk bands even some at the present. I loved how it started then it moving towards how it influenced most of the musicians. I love the parts which has interviews coming from the greats of punk such as Johnny Rotten and Buzzcocks, Clash, then the montages of the yester years! I am surprised that some bands in this documentary started as punk band such as Blondie, Nirvana, Pennywise and I forgot the others. 

I also loved how the US punk scene evolve from the years that no record company wants them, even independent labels until it skyrocketed what is today. I loved the interviews from the first US punk bands such as Ramones, Green Day, Offspring, MInor Threat/Fugazi, damn there is another one I forgot! hehe A lot of more actually, telling how it was hard to release a record but it did not stop them going. The early footages of their gigs were awesome, a lot of chaos, diving and raw punk music! 

The documentary also shows how well punk music really part of lives of many, which shows through clothing, hairstyle and a lot of accessories and piercings. Which I kinda thought what if  I did those things? Nah, it doesn't suits me.

It goes until it cracked into mainstream radio after years of hiding, run from the police and bootlegs, and now, it became one of the integral part of music especially pop music. 

But the best part of this documentary was the explanation of how Punk these days became a commercial thing such as fashion statement, even bands that claim to be punk just because they look like one but they are not! Some discrimination from the parts of society because they thought this music makes one evil or worse murderers. I was laughing at that TV show clip showing this whatever.  Then there is a scene which shows group of friend who just meet on Sundays, staying at the house with their get up punk and having a great time! Despite well breaking some things in their house. 

For me, punk is not only like showing how you dress or claims to be. It should be the avenue of showing agression or hatred in a fast and raw beat. You know what I mean, punk songs doesn't reach 3 mins unlike other rock songs in general. After that, it's done and have a good time whether the punk song is about bad or something good. In life, there are things which happens so bad, you were not even prepared for it. Punk for me makes you kinda listen to your sadness or want to get wild and after that, done. Move on. Except of course, if you're wearing like a punk. That's another story. Punk music is not always about hatred or sadness and stuff, it's also having fun and do crazy things! hehe 

Well, these days Punk Music indeed became pop due to some bands who I think and feel don't really know what punk music is. I won't say their names but definitely, you know or you can see them in this documentary. Geez, they even promote goth/emo sh*t. They just attract young girls!

Anyway, it's not a perfect documentary because it kinda short at the end. I hope it's longer to really discuss more of punk music these days but it kinda fast finish the last part. Although they show some but it's sad that these days, large sponsors taking advantage of these live acts especially punk music scene. But this one never short of respecting the pioneers of punk, and great thing..

They still jumping and screaming!!! Rock on!!

"Do you feel lucky, punk?"

- Dirty Harry

flashbacks: ROTC

I feel so deprived when I see a student going to ROTC Sunday sa UST without any pressure or sorts kasi well... They only need 2 sems to finish the course at wala na silang problema sa graduation. They can choose pa instead of ROTC, community service through NSTP. They should thank or kahit sa batch namin or even sige lahat to Cadet Chua. Because of him, we might be still languishing wasting precious Sundays to a training which all we do, waste time and money. 

Pagtapak ng USTE, well naenrol kami sa ROTC, at ayun, 4 semesters of grueling army type of training for nation building or service daw.. Damn, I skipped first para mag first aid training sa red cross which icredit daw as ROTC kaso wala din nangyari. I failed that first sem. hehe

Nung sumabak na ko sa ROTC at that time, I expected na training or babad sa araw, kaso ayun.. Babad sa counterstrike at battle realms. hahaha There was a time na magkikita kami ng squad leader at iba kong classmates sa BK, tapos counterstrike then pag patapos na ang training, ayun na, pirma sa attendance at uwi na! Minsan nga advance ang pirma, para kahit wala sa next Sunday, may attendance na. haha Hell with the prelims or finals sa ROTC.

Pero di naman laging ganun, may mga Sundays sa sobrang pahirap, as in, binababad kami sa araw, marcha lang dun.. Pag late at nahuli ng MP, excercise sa harap ng commerce building, tapos kung malas malas ka, eh sasabunin ka pa ng pesteng commander. Kala mo kung sino umasta. hehe 

Anyway, towards second year, eh napasali ako ng silent drill, thanks to Doc, at kasama ko pa ata sila Igz.. And some of doc's friends. Eh di naman lagi training, kaya ayun pagassemble sa umaga, labas sa uste, cyberscan muna hanggang last break tapos uwi na. Minsan, may part2 pa ang laro paguwi. haha

Kala ko magiging buenas ako sa silent drill, last drill eh napasama ako sa presentation ng sponsors with the first battallion kaya ayun, flag bearer for the whole f*cking day then yun, that was the end of may very reproductive ROTC. 

Although di nagtatapos diyan, the very reason why ROTC became a 1 year course, and now may NSTP pa, then ladies should now participate, one of the breakthroughs happened was this one great officer from ENG. 

There were times kasi sa ROTC na despite gumastos ka na sa uniforms an other stuff, aba plus siyempre yun baon and pamasahe, aba gagastos ka pa sa ibang "requirements" nila. Such as one big concern eh yun handouts na napakamahal, at sapilitan pa bibilin kasi kung hindi daw, aba di ka ipapasa. Eh around 200 ata yun na napa nipis at walang kakwenta kwenta. Tapos, they have tests di ba, bayad pa kami sa test paper na dapat libre. Then I forgot may mga iba pang fees pa sila siningil na wala naman nangyari. May balita pa nga noon na 1500 lang, pasado ka na sa sem. hehe

There, well, Officer Chua heard the plight of the students, then he made a survey ha, each platoon at siya lang gumawa nun, no other officer bothered to ask, all they do is shout and power trip. Siya eh nagsurvey, nagtanong at gagawin niya makakaya niya.. At that time, may nagrarally pa na anakbayan ata yun akbayan. hehe Kaso nasupress sila eh, isa dun kaklase ko pa sa precom. hehe

Anyway, Officer made investigation at I remember parang na whislteblower siya through varsi and media..

Unfortunately, that was the last day we heard from him. UST was rocked when we heard na nasemento siya sa drum and ditched sa Pasig River sa Quiapo. That happened I know 3rd year na eh. Of course, mabuti at kahit papano, nahuli yun mastermind na yun commander na peste at yun iba pang kasbwat, mind you yun mga ROTC higher ups yun. Well, justice was served swift pero yun ibang kasbwat or yun ibang officers na kabatch ni Chua eh kanyang kanya eskapo. I heard once yun nakahulihan, yun isang officer nasa US na. Di na bumalik. Yun iba, di na nakita or nagpakita, yun iba well we don't know. Pero with that event and sacrifice, he paved way changes ng program, congress approved it and now, students are enjoying such light training with chicks pa! hahaha Damn they are lucky..

Well, sa akin naman eh ok naman ROTC ko not because of that crappy training of sorts, but most especially yun mga kalokohan ginawa namin dun, papasok last break na. Laro lang kami ng laro, tapos yun wala na. hehe Mabuti talaga nabago na siya because kung ganun lang gagawin, napakaaksaya ng 2 years requirement for reserved army training. Unfair pa sa mga mahihirap na course. Ok sana kung lahat ng officer eh magaling na trainer but they are not. They are trained not to share good values but to scare or punish us lang. What kind of military training is that?

Ok lang it's required, no problem with that but as long it's benificial and will really help a citizen to be proud protecting our country in times of well invasion, if that happens.. Why not?

I'll be happy to be trained and baka sumali pa ko sa armed forces.. Or marami pa sumali sa armed forces.

Pero kung corrupt naman at wala naman ginagaw matino, at ang ginagawa lang eh manigaw at magalit.. Many won't be interested going to army corps. 

Don't forget we have a weak military armory as well. Geez, if invasion does happen, I'll just run. Thanks to that training they gave me.

A very motivating training. hehe