Cultural travel

Cultural travel

One of my frustrations in life is to go on a cultural tour of some of the finest cities in Europe. Simply hop on a train then disembark at a different city every week. Soaking in the picturesque atmosphere, visit museums, watch some musicals or play, eat authentic local fare and even sneak into a small theater to watch a local film. Never mind if I don't speak the language or the film doesn't have subtitles, I would simply be awed by the visual treat unfolding before my eyes.

With the advent of online booking sites, it is so convenient to go traveling these days. There is a single website where you can book your accommodations with just one click. For instance, I can start my cultural adventure by venturing to my favorite city in the world. The romantic capital city of France, I can choose from any of the Paris accommodation based on my budget.

Then the next week, I can find affordable places at Barcelona accommodation. Then visit The Queen and stay at any of these London accommodations. Then go forth and venture into nearby Scotland and choose from any of these Edinburgh accommodations. I might as well increase my enriching cultural experience by heading over to Ireland for some local flavor while enjoying my bed and breakfast which I picked from Dublin accommodation.

Ah yes well this frustration of mine will likely remain my lifelong dream!

JUMPER

Hayden Christensen, Jaime Bell, Samuel L. Jackson, Diane Lane, Rachel Bilson

"Anywhere is possible"

Cinema 1, Shang Cineplex

There is a line in this film uttered by one of the "jumpers" (Jaime Bell) who says to the main "Jumper" (Hayden Christensen) dude alluded to in the title: "You think you can go on like this forever? Living like this with no consequences? There are *always* consequences."

On that note, I would say yes there are *always* consequences! You sit in a freezing theater to watch a sci-fi film about some highly implausible plot of certain beings with some freaking power wherein they can teleport themselves here ... there ... and everywhere. The resulting consequence is getting dizzy when your head spins from all those teleporting moments shot with shaky camera angles.

Well alright sure you are awed with brilliant visual effects, computer generated images of famous landmarks like London's Ben Big, the head of the Sphinx in Egypt and even a fleeting shot of the Burj al Arab in Dubai.

You try to get emotionally involved in the characters development as the film progresses. The main hero, his love interest, his parents even the villains here known as the Paladins (the antagonists who hunt down jumpers simply because well they are abominations of the human race) and everyone else. You notice you cannot really take your eyes off Samuel L. Jackson's white dyed hair. As well as how Jaime Bell registered much more screen presence than main jumper dude Hayden Christensen. How sometimes Hayden resembles Ashton Kutcher with shorter hair.

You also try to make sense of the storyline. Even put yourself in the situation and wonder if you had such powers would you use it to your advantage or would you use it to help the less fortunate? How come you need to stab the jumpers with some special knife when you can just zap them with a million bolts of electricity?

After a while, you simply rest your case. Stop questioning the plot loopholes, the mediocre acting from some of the cast members and the head spinning visual effects, sit back and just watch it for entertainment's sake. All 90 minutes of it. Then drink some meds for the headache it sadly induced. Then you realize and lament the fact that the theater was filled to the rafters for this average movie while a gem of a film like "Juno" was showing at a nearly empty cinema.

Oh well!

JUNO

Ellen Page, Jennifer Garner, Jason Bateman, Michael Cera, Allison Janney, J.K. Simmons, Olivia Thirlby

"A comedy about growing up ... and the bumps along the way"

Cinema 2, SM Megamall

Juno is a feisty young girl.

Juno is witty.

Juno has an eclectic taste in music.

Juno is 16.

Juno is pregnant!

Juno is also quite mature for her young age with a good head on her shoulders. She handles this setback on her own merit. Give or take a few hitches along the way, she manages to deal with the situation .

Now whether or not this film highlights, condones or even makes light of teenage pregnancy is not the point. It is the story of a young girl (named after a character in Greek/Roman mythology (the wife of Zeus) and not the town in Alaska) who maturely solves her 'problem'. Some would say she was rather emotion less and quite stoic but I'd say, she was being very practical. She was lucky her support system was pretty solid and they didn't react in a hysterical manner. In fact, I found them really cool in an independent not indifferent way.

The film starts with Juno's narrative of the events leading to her pregnancy. An animated sequence shows the opening credits to the tune of a catchy song. The story unfolds as we are introduced to the interesting characters. The dialogue is fast paced with whimsical, witty lines. All delivered in a distinct style that reminds me of the dialogue in "Gilmore Girls". It was peppered with a variety of songs that somehow didn't sit too well for me. I just got this sense that they went overboard by bombarding the film with cutesy tunes and grungy music to add some whimsical factor to the film. They overindulged in that department. Naturally, a crisis/conflict arises midway for some dramatic effect. Yet the film still manages to end with a pleasant feeling that everyone and everything is back to normal in their own little world.

Ellen Page fits the role of Juno to a T. Her overall aura of girlish charm disguises the fact that she is well tuned and quite witty in her own right. She is atypical young girl a bit off in her musical tastes as well as her outlook in life. Veering towards piercing sarcasm and practicality as opposed to idealistic tendencies. But deep inside she is still a young girl growing up in her own little world who just wants to be loved for who she is. That task surely takes a lot of effort, I'd say. The rest of the cast help in their subtle portrayal of their supporting yet still relevant roles. Although I didn't sense much chemistry between the adoptive parents but in essence it was meant to show they aren't the picture perfect married couple.

It is a pity there were only a handful of people in the theater. I'm guessing people tend to stay clear of a movie that seems to highlight teenage pregnancy, but they are wrong. It has a well written plot with interesting characters and well it just happens to deal with a heavy subject matter. Just be open minded and learn to appreciate a unique story, once in a while. It is worth it.

Juno is worth it!

THE BUCKET LIST

Morgan Freeman, Jack Nicholson, Sean Hayes

"When he closed his eyes, his heart was opened"

Cinema 1, Shang Cineplex

The main reason this rather predictable film shines is the credible performances of Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson.

They portray two very contrasting characters who are diagnosed with terminal cancer. Complete strangers who happen to share a room in the hospital where they receive treatment for their ailments. Complete opposites from the get go. They forge an enduring friendship. It takes off after they made a bucket list. A list of items they want to do and or witness before they hmmm kick the bucket, so to speak. I guess it certainly helps that Edward Cole (Jack Nicholson) is filthy rich. With his loyal aide/secretary (Sean Hayes) at his beck and call, he can afford to take them to places in his fancy private jet like the Himalayas and the pyramids in Egypt. Go sky diving, experience an African safari among others.

While the movie's main theme focuses on achieving everything on that list. It is the unique and strong friendship which develops between the two patients that adds soul to the film. Their nuggets of wisdom, the narratives of their loves and lives filter out during their trip. They also provide valuable life lessons.

So even though you actually already know how the movie will end, you find yourself drawn to their enthusiasm as they get a second kick out of their lives. It makes you want to actually make your own bucket list and go sail forth unto the realm of unfulfilled dreams and unbridled desires.

THE DARJEELING LIMITED

Owen Wilson, Adrien Brody, Jason Schwartzman, Natalie Portman, Anjelica Huston, Amara Karan

Cinema 3, Greenbelt 3

This latest offering from Wes Anderson is just as quirky and eccentric as his other films "The Royal Tenenbaums" and "Rushmore". I liked the songs (combination of French, English and Indian music), the scenery shots of the train as it passes through the villages of India, the main compartment/wagon where the three brothers are mostly confined throughout their journey and the exotic feel which seeps through. It's almost as if you can actually smell the spicy flavor of that culturally rich nation. And having grown up in India, believe me I know what it truly smells like. I mean that in a good way.

But the film is more than just a train journey, it encompasses a spiritual trip for its 3 main characters, the Whitman brothers. Each one unique, contrasting characters all charming in their own way. The only common bond which binds them together is their surname, otherwise you won't really know or can't really connect them as brothers. One of them actually says: "I wonder if the three of us would've been friends in real life. Not as brothers, but as people." Probably not if you ask me.

Francis (Owen Wilson), the eldest likes to take it upon himself to plan out everything for his brothers even though he himself needs to figure out his own life. From ordering what food to eat, to coming up with a daily itinerary during their trip, he can be a tad overwhelming, sometimes. Peter (Adrien Brody) a soon to be father likes to hold on to the items of their recently deceased father, obsessively. While Jack (Jason Schwartzman) has his own troubles dealing with the recent break up of his complicated relationship. Together they venture on a train, the Darjeeling Limited in an effort to bond together as brothers as well as deal with their trust issues. Follow their adventures in the train as well as off as they travel with the monogrammed luggage(s) of their dead father. They are loaded with intoxicating medicines for their various ailments in their aim to find and reconnect with their mother, Sister Patricia Whitman (the brilliant Anjelica Huston) who has run off to a remote place in the Himalayas to care for orphaned children.

So there you go, is that quirky enough for you?

It has to be said that this sort of film doesn't really suit everyone! Yet if you are an adventurous film goer willing to be entertained with something different once in a while then by all means, stick around. Soak in the scenery, the spiritual aspect the movie tries to convey, the well developed and fetching characters as portrayed by three really talented actors who are the heart and soul of this film. Laugh at their situational comedic experiences as they explore the culture of India, its people and in the process despite and inspite of their strange journey they find their true selves.

Francis: I guess I've still got a lot of healing to do.
Jack: Gettin' there, though.
Peter: Anyway, it's definitely going to add a lot of character to you.

I conclude by saying that "The Darjeeling Limited" certainly has a lot of character to it!

MUSICNation

Music Nation

There is a fascinating website that caters to music lovers everywhere. Music Nation is an online music community which serves as the go between artists/bands and viewers/fans. The bands upload their videos on the site then the system re-directs viewers to the band's latest artistic offering. Fans can also share their favorite band's videos.

After you register, you can choose whatever genre of music suits you like Rock, Rap, Pop, Country etc and the system keeps feeding them to you till you say stop. The more people use the system the better it gets. The more users recommend videos of their favorite artists the better exposure for the bands. Bands which get a lot of play have a chance at getting signed by MusicNation.com's partner EPIC RECORDS!

There are also competitions you can join on Music Nation.com which entitles you to win tons of stuff. It’s different every time. Each competition has its own prizes, they are all clearly listed on its page. Their interesting blog contains all sort of information from obscure rock trivia to music news, as well as the stories behind famous album covers to the viral vids of the moment. So you will always be in on the latest music news.

So sign up now and be part of this engaging online music community.

P.S. I LOVE YOU

Hilary Swank, Gerard Butler, Harry Connick Jr., Lisa Kudrow, Gina Gershon, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Kathy Bates

"Sometimes there is only one thing left to say"

Cinema 12, SM Megamall

I never read the novel by Cecelia Ahern this movie was based on because I'm not into chick lit. But the main draw for me was Gerard Butler. The Phantom of the Opera and King Leonidas of Sparta himself! Here he is Gerry, a carefree Irish balladeer who is transported to New York City as a limo driver. He has been married to Holly for 10 years. Holly (Hilary Swank) is the 'responsible' one in the marriage, she has a plan for everything. From moving to a bigger apartment to deciding when to have children. One year later, we witness Holly's grief as she is suddenly widowed after Gerry succumbs to a brain tumor. The film picks up when on her 30th birthday she receives a cake and a tape recording from Gerry telling her to tidy up and go out to celebrate her natal day. The different seasons pass by and we see Holly living again ably guided by several letters sent by Gerry. A well conceived plan devised by Gerry (the non planner) so that Holly can move on with her life without him by her side. It also helps that she had a strong support system. She had her friends who stick by her. Her mother who has been through her own rough time dealing with issues of abandonment and separation. And a supportive male friend with his own syndrome.

But this so called plan by Gerry begs the question. How can she move on with her life when all she has to look forward to is receiving those letters? Won't it only firmly make her cling to her past? Well it works! In making her rediscover the person she was before she married Gerry. And the person I like to believe made Gerry fall in love with her in the first place. We all know how the travails of married life can sometimes make us lose focus on the true meaning of life. In the beginning of the film, Holly laments and argues about the direction her life has taken. She felt like she was always waiting for her life to begin. She is constantly planning everything. Being the responsible grown up one who worries all the time. Gerry answers her that that was it, this was their life now and I melted when he told her: "I know what I want, because I have it in my hands right now. You."

It is a sweet romantic comedy that surely gets your tears ducts flowing but it does have its flaws or plot loopholes. To mention a few - some wasted footage showing Holly mopping around in apartment during her time of grief. The forced romantic angle sequence with Harry Connick Jr. Or the fact that you wonder how she was able to support herself financially when she wasn't working because earlier in the film she was lamenting how she hated her job and they couldn't afford a bigger place. But the film does redeem itself with shots of the lush Irish countryside, the good acting performances of Hilary Swank and Kathy Bates, the right comedic timing of Lisa Kudrow being goofy and dare I say flash back shots of Gerard Butler singing tracks by the Pogues (an Irish folk band) with his Irish accent!

So although the film deals with death and grief. It is more focused on redicovering and re examining our goals in life. It is about celebrating the fact that as long as we live, we do have the right and the option to be happy no matter how difficult our life has been.

27 DRESSES

Katherine Heigl, James Marsden, Malin Akerman, Edward Burns, Judy Greer

Cinema 4, Shang Cineplex

"Always a bridesmaid, never a bride!"

Light rom com (romantic comedy) with a good cast, a predictable plot but oh so amusingly enjoyable to watch. Especially for a bride to be like myself. Not that my wedding will be as elaborate as the ones portrayed in the film but it was a delight to watch.

Jane (Katherine Heigl) as the title implies has worn 27 dresses as a bridesmaid. The woman is adept at being the ever reliable bridesmaid who does everything! She goes to the fitting of the bridal gown because she is the same size as the bride. She can order a wedding cake in just 3 weeks flat. She even multitasks by attending two weddings simultaneously! I'm surprised she didn't just get a job as a wedding planner.

But Jane has her own job as the personal assistant of some Richard Branson type executive. You know the sort of guy who can balance his thriving career with his philantrophic duties like sponsoring young kids at baseball camp. George (Edward Burns) aside from being Jane's boss is also the guy whom Jane is secretly in love with. To make things worse, Jane's younger and more attractive sister, Tess (Malin Akerman) suddenly breezes into town and sweeps George off his feet. He is so smitten, he immediately proposes to Tess. Thus Jane must now help plan the wedding of her own sister to the man she has been pining for since time immemorial.

As predictable love stories go, they introduce a potential love interest for our main character. He comes in the person of Kevin (James Marsden). A reporter who writes about weddings of the week in the commitments section of the New York Journal. Yet he himself has a rather cynical and sarcastic view about weddings. Longing for the day when he graduates from the commitments section to longer feature articles for the newspaper.

Does Jane get to wear her 28th dress as a bridesmaid to her sister's wedding? Or does she end up finally becoming a bride? We all probably can guess or know for sure the answer to the latter. Happy endings do abound in light romantic comedies, after all. It is up to the story line and I'd say the cast to keep us sustained until the very (happy) end.

The formula works due to the presence of Katherine Heigl who in all her towering frame glory still looks radiant as a bridesmaid even when she gets to wear the most hideous looking gowns ever made for bridesmaids. Her love hate relationship with James Marsden is convincing because of their chemistry and correct comedic timing. Although he seems to be losing his boyish charm which can't be a good thing especially if he stars as a romantic lead in rom coms. Malin Akerman who I have never heard of before makes a believable dumb blond spoiled brat younger sister because of her blond, well scrubbed appearance. A bit hard to believe that a somewhat heavier looking Edward Burns as George is a gung ho entrepreneur. At least he doesn't whine at all in this movie as he has a tendency to do in his other roles. But whether he is plausible or not in this movie, I still love the guy!

The film is cohesively edited, with some funny dialogue and authentic wedding preparation scenarios. Although expectantly predictable, it has its required conflict moments where the lead character must hurdle some challenges before being triumphant. It also tackles sibling rivalry, betrayal of trust issues, unrequited love and finally the discovery of one's true self.

NATIONAL TREASURE: BOOK OF SECRETS

Nicholas Cage, Diane Kruger, Justin Bartha, Jon Voight, Ed Harris, Helen Mirren, Bruce Greenwood, Harvey Keitel

Cinema 1, Shang Cineplex

Ok so yes I've been busy (my wedding arrangements) and had no time or rather couldn't find the time to head over to the cinemas and catch a film. So my first movie for 2008 fell on treasure hunter Ben Gates (Nicholas Cage) to entertain me. He didn't disappoint. It was a good welcome back from my movies hiatus, I'd say.

There are certain films I watch purely for entertainment purposes. Any movie with Nicholas Cage in it qualifies in that category. They are mostly full of action scenes with an easy to figure out plot coupled with some romantic involvement with the leading lady sort of material.

Now back to Ben Gates, this time he embarks on another wild goose chase to several historical places to redeem his ancestor's name. Apparently his great grandfather was involved in the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. He of course brings along his reliable (comic) side kick Riley (Justin Bartha), his estranged girlfriend Abigail (Diane Kruger) who I thought was already his wife but it seems they never got married. His separated parents Peter and Emily (Jon Voight, Helen Mirren) and the token bad guy Mitch (Ed Harris) hot on his trail.

The treasure dates all the way back to the Lincoln assassination with the discovery of certain clues hidden with a page in the diary of John Wilkes Booth, Lincoln's assassin. Or wait I might have gotten that wrong, the treasure dates all the way back to the colonization of Americas by Spanish conquerors. Something about a city of gold full of treasures amassed during that long forgotten era. They travel around the world and find clues in famous landmarks like Buckingham Palace, the original statue of Liberty in Paris, Mt Rushmore and even the Oval Office in the White House.

So whereas the original National Treasure had some innovative aspects to offer the audience mostly through the ingenious techie Riley. Its sequel more or less banked on a rehashed formula. The implausible plot lines like kidnapping the President of the US so you can go hunting for clues together seemed rather preposterous. It also relied on comic side kick to draw in the few laughs, the ala Indiana Jones escapades into a decrepit cave/tunnel which falls apart, the antagonist suddenly turning into an ally to help find the treasure. All the cliches possible in a treasure hunt movie were present. The only added 'attraction' would be the rather brief yet significant role of Helen Mirren as Ben Gates's mother. She has a commanding screen presence with an eloquent manner of delivering her dialogue.

Well as I mentioned earlier, it is best not to take any of Nicholas Cage's movie too seriously. I mean that in a good way not as an insult. But if you do have a thing for treasure hunting escapades then I suggest you are better off watching the reality show "Treasure Hunters". This show pitted teams of 3 members each against each other for a chance to win a loot of treasure. They were given clues on their cellphone, got to travel all over the world, did arduous tasks in a race, learned important historical facts on each leg. That was an interesting reality show. National Treasure was after all just a movie!

ENCHANTED

ENCHANTED
Amy Adams, Patrick Dempsey, James Marsden,
Susan Sarandon,Idina Menzel, Timothy Spall

"The real world and the animated world collide"

I must be getting soft in my old age. My sarcastic, cynical self actually liked this classic fairy tale Disney movie with a twist. Nary a trace of violence, no cuss words, no bad guys, no noisy car chase scenes. Just an innocent naive little princess lost in chaotic New York city. Her simple quest is to return to her animated world so she could marry her Prince Charming.

Ok ... all together now. Awwww!!!

What's not to like, right?
I'd say a few song and dance sequences in Central Park and some typical fairy tale ballroom dancing didn't register well with my cynical heart.

Even though for a few minutes in the beginning you pinch yourself because you think you've wandered into the wrong cinema. The screen comes alive with an animation feature. The eventual transition from animation to real life is smooth and well executed.

The cast is composed of talented artists known for other genres like drama and comedy so to be part of an animated/real feature must have seem like a breeze. But it doesn't necessarily mean it is easy to act all fairy tale like either. You have the likes of the resplendent Susan Sarandon in a small role as the evil stepmother complete with freaky makeup, hideous outfits and the 'evil' laughter. James Marsden as the typical caricature of a Prince Charming - meaning he looks good only in paper/cartoon but he doesn't bear much substance. This brings us to the real Prince Charming in disguise portrayed by the yummy Patrick Dempsey. The guy with a young daughter trying to balance his career, his love life and his role as a father with ease. The attorney with a heart of gold who doesn't take advantage of lost out of her elements little Princess Giselle. Of course, Amy Adams with her perky nose and her childlike aura looked every part the naive Princess that she was.

The story is pure fantasy with enough dose of harsh reality (in the form of the mean city that never sleeps - New York). The plot evolved well, had enough conflict and created a credible buildup towards the climax and of course finishes with a happy ending both in animation and in real life.

Light feel good movie with solid plot, good cast and the ubiquitous moral lessons expected from fairy tales for both children and adults alike - certainly you can't go wrong at all with this premise.