Reel Feels

Movies fill the void that's missing in our lives, sometimes it makes us realize that all the questions we have in life lie within ourselves, but only if we reach deeper. And most of the time (at least for me) watching a movie is really helpful.

So here are my top 10 "reel feels", don't worry I won't spoil anything, I'll just describe some things about the movie and why I chose it.

10. Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children (2016)

I know this is a new movie but I wasn't aware that the book was published years ago, I've heard about it a few times before but I didn't care for it much until I watched the movie, and it wasn't because of the book but it was because of the actress Eva Green (I have a crush on her)

I love how the peculiar were kept safe by Miss Peregrine. My favorite is of course Jake (or Jacob in the book, if I'm not mistaken) because he sees what I see. This movie gives you a sense of identity.

I loved the movie so much that I actually bought the book right after because friends told me the book is better, and I do believe that, I haven't read it yet, but I know that books are always better than the movies because it doesn't skip anything.

9. Begin Again (2014)

Begin Again makes it in the list because it captures how I view music as one of the requirements of having a beautiful soul. I'm an old soul, I love the Beatles, Michael Jackson, Tears For Fears, and a lot more old bands out there and I love how their lyrics feed the soul, and this movie captures it perfectly.

It also makes the list because of a certain gadget in the movie, you'll get what it is, I actually bought one and I haven't used it yet, because I don't have anyone to share it with yet, maybe one of these days? A little stroll around Intramuros, yes?

8. Lars and The Real Girl (2007)

Ryan Gosling's talent to dedicate himself to be the character instead of being the actor is amazing. I didn't even notice that it was Ryan Gosling acting out during the whole movie (I mean I know it's Ryan Gosling, but I don't see him in the movie, I see his character)

There's a likeness to the character and me, in a slight way - the way that I am very uncomfortable with talking to people and social gatherings. If you've spent time with me outside or planned a night out, you'd notice I like keeping it small, 5 people is already a crowd for me (or have I just gone anti-social the past few years?) So go watch this movie and I hope you love it.

7. The Thin Red Line (1998)

The Thin Red Line is better than Saving Private Ryan - Yes I said that, yes I said that people, go and crucify me. The Thin Red Line is the lesser known war movie of 1998, overshadowed by Steven Spielberg's Saving Private Ryan, and why is that? Of course, Tom Hanks, who wouldn't spend money on Tom Hanks in 1998.

I only knew about this movie when I was in college, researching about World War 2 stories (It's my hobby, reading about WW2) and I googled for "Best War Movies" and The Thin Red Line was there.

If Saving Private Ryan is the action-packed war movie everybody had expected, Thin Red Line is the anti-thesis of war movies - Slow, sensitive, poetic. And I think it's where Terrence Malick outguns the 'ol Steven Spielberg. Malick captured how war can damage the human soul and why war must be avoided at all cost. You'll also be surprised with the cast in this one, and it's 3 hours long so please pop those kernel or better buy a lot of Potato Corner fries (I recommend wasabi flavor)

6. Ang Nawawala (2012)

You might be thinking "What?! A Filipino film made it to your list? An Indie? What a Hipster!" Woah, woah, woah, first of all, I was hip before hipster was a thing. Second, yes, a Filipino indie film made it to my list. Why? Because this is "Reel Feels" mofo, you better recognize that.

But why this? I discovered this from a friend who suggested this to me, that friend of mine hates Filipino movies, and for him to suggest this to me with great enthusiasm made me really wonder. I got a chance to watch it when it was shown in Cinematheque Manila, I think it was only in April or May when I saw this.

The movie also made me discover Pinoy indie musicians like Hannah + Gabi, and Ang Bandang Shirley. Go watch this, now! DVD costs around Php 1,200 though, so, let's share a copy?

5. No Strings Attached (2011)

Why this? Because Natalie Portman is fucking perfect here, her smile is fucking perfect I actually cursed on my blog, twice. Because I'm as sweet as Ashton Kutcher. Yeah I know, not good looking as him but hey, if you close your eyes, I'm still sweet.

Now ok, jokes aside, I love this movie because it gives me that "kilig" factor. Because it's just so relevant about people starting out for fun and then falling in love, getting things complicated and then the fall out and then the rebirth of love.

Honestly, I can't explain it in words, just watch this. XoXo

4. The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)

Yep, that's not a typo, it is titled the Pursuit of Happyness. It's been 10 years since this movie was released and it's such a big hit so I don't really expect a lot of people who won't know this movie. But in case you don't, this is a true-to-life story of a man being broke and just wields his incredible will power to get through hardship. I cried, not shed tears, I cried and I'm not ashamed of that. For such a beautiful story like this, who wouldn't let a few manly tears flow?

3. Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012)

I don't think I need to explain why this. I mean, why not? We all have our wallflower sides, but only a few see and feel things, and for the few who do, I already love you, from the bottom of my heart, because if you see and feel the things I do, we should hang out.

2. Love, Rosie (2014)

What can I say? I fell in love with Lily Collins ever since. The unconditional love in this movie is just amazing. I can't explain it, the love here is raw and just beautiful. I love it, I love it, I love it. So watch it, watch it, watch it! I still don't have the book so anyone out there want to give me one? Thanks in advance!

1. Swiss Army Man (2016)

Swiss Army Man is an Indie film that was supposed to show here in the Philippines but somehow it got pushed off by a big-budgeted movie and I hate the cinemas for doing that. I had to scour the net for this.

Daniel Radcliffe plays a dead person here and all I can say about his performance is that he 'killed' it. Get it? He killed it (HA HA HA)

This is a comedy-drama-adventure-almost musical-soul-searching movie. This is about accepting yourself for being who you are and you don't need to hide it, you don't need to hide being weird because at the end of the day it's your life and you need to express it, and express it now. People know me as the devil-may-care guy who doesn't mind being embarrassed for some shit he's done.

Yeah, I don't really mind about not having to care what people think, I do what I do as long I'm happy and I don't step on anyone's happiness. That's just me, and maybe that's why that when I watched this film, it was a personal confirmation that I am sure of myself, that I am no longer looking for my identity because what I am for the past years, the "bumpy" in me is no longer an alter ego, it was the real me, my personal experiences made the "bumpy" I am now, and I'm not ashamed of that.

And if only I can force everyone to watch this, everyone will find their identity. And I want you to watch this, watch it alone, with headphones and listen to all the conversations because it's all important or else you'll be lost in the movie. Watch this so that you don't have to hide your weirdness, we just have to show them.

---End of List---

First published E-book: Escolta

Hi Friends!

     I just released my first e-book titled "Escolta", just to tell you guys the background of Escolta.

     I was inspired to write this when I went to an art fair in Escolta, I thought what a beautiful setting Escolta would be for a story. It was the summer of 2014 when I started working on it, it was originally supposed to be a novel but I thought it would be hard stretching a one-day story. So I decided that it would be my first short story as I already have a novel project that I was developing for 4 years during that time (Make that 6 years now)

     After just a few months I lost my spark of insanity in writing and I stopped writing. In 2015 I was encouraged to write it for a contest and so I did and wrote it, but with a deadline, I was pressured to finish it, that's why I hate deadlines. I knew it wouldn't win, and it did not, I think probably it was one of the first entries to be eliminated.

     Just a few months ago, around May to be exact, I had quit my job and I was a couch potato at home and watched movies all day and getting drunk all night, that was the routine. Until I watched the movie "Stranger Than Fiction", The narration in that movie was superb and so I thought I should revisit my writing - and yes, my writing sucked big time, it was way off, I embarrassed myself for sending that to the contest.

     So I scratched the plot and retained only the setting. I rewrote it for 1 week, locked up in my room, writing from the moment I wake up at 9am and ending at around 8pm. I even hunted quiet coffee shops to write.

     And now I present to you, Escolta.

     Escolta is the first part of my planned 3 or 5-part short story series. Yes, when I finished writing this, I wanted to write more so I wrote the 2nd part last June, it took my around 3 days to write the second one. Watch out for the second part because I may release it this week.

     Escolta is available for FREE through Smashwords.com and Barnes & Noble. So download and read now because I'm about to drop the second part! Cheers!

A Short Piece

Hello,

I just want to be quick about this one, I was cleaning my laptop files and I saw this piece I wrote as an exam for a past job. I think this one was actually why I got in. The challenge of the creative director was simple - I have to choose an object inside my bag and create a fictional story about it. But first he asked me to write in Filipino, which I speak fluently but I can't write well at (It's actually a frustration for me to be not good in writing Filipino)

So all I had in my bag that interview was a bottle of perfume and velcro wallet. I chose the perfume.
And I would just like to share with you this very very short story I wrote about that perfume. It's only 800 words long, so, happy reading!

This photo illustrates how I conceptualized the story, out of nowhere.

"C.K. Juan"

     Dalawang Gwardiya - Ang bagitong si Calvin, payat ang pangangatawan, matangkad, mistulang kalansay at liliparin sa isang bugso ng malakas na hangin. At si Klein, ang senior officer ng kanilang hanay, maliit na nilalang, at ubod ng laki ang tiyan na animo’y puputok ang butones ng kanyang uniporme. Sila ang tagapag bantay ng Busilak Perfume Factory sa may Novaliches.

Hatinggabi, sa harap ng gate, malamig ang hangin, gawa ng palapit na ang panahon ng pasko, lumapit ang bagitong si Calvin kay Klein. “Sir, tayo lang ‘ho dalawa magbabantay sa factory?” ang tanong niya. “Hindi ah, dapat nga ikaw lang eh, dahil baguhan ka dito, sasamahan kita sa unang gabi mo rito, marami kang kailangang matutunan nang mabilisan dahil ayoko na sa puyatan, nananakit na ang likod ko sa ganitong oras.” Tinitigan ni Calvin ang maka-mundong hugis ng tiyan ni Klein at napaisip na lamang na malamang iyon ang dahilan ng pananakit ng kanyang likod. “Ang bigat ho kasi ng bagahe niyo,” ang sabi ni Calvin, nakita ni Klein na ang tinutukoy ni Calvin ay ang kanyang tiyan. “Hoy Calvin! Bunganga mo naman, kaya kitang punitin sa nipis ng pangangatawan mo, tara na nga’t malaki ang factory, marami tayong iikutan.”

     Nilibot ni Klein si Calvin sa Busilak Perfume Factory, magmula sa pinakaharapan na gate ay nilibot nila ang buong looban ng pabrika. “Magmula alas-nuebe ng gabi, hanggang alas-kwatro ng madaling araw, iyo ang pabrikang ito, sa iyo ipinagkakatiwala ng kompanya ang lahat ng nasa loob ng nasasakupan dito. Ikaw ang Mayor ng Busilak kapag hatinggabi. Ituring mong sariling iyo ang lahat ng naririto, bantayan mo ito na parang sarili mong bahay, at higit sa lahat, talasan mo ang iyong pandinig, at balatan mo ang iyong mga mata, maraming nagmamasid, naghihintay ng pagkakataon na magnakaw.” “Sir, yes, sir! Ang laki pala ng loob nito, mahirap umikot dito ng walang wheels, wala ba tayong pa-wheels diyan sir?” ang tanong ni Calvin. “Wheels? Halika rito,” ang sagot ni Klein, “Eto, mamili ka ng wheels mo, etong bisikleta na iisa nalang ang gulong sa pagkaluma, o etong skateboard na nakuha namin sa trespasser? May wheels, wheels ka pang nalalaman diyan, may pa-radyo at thermos naman kami eh, kaya competitive ang benefits mo dito.”

     Pinasok nila ang main building ng pabrika, at sa loob nito ay ipinakita ni Klein kung pano gumawa ng ng pabango ang pabrika. “Alam mo, sa tatlong dekada ko nang serbisyo dito ay walang nabago sa proseso ng kanilang paggawa ng pabango, tatlong dekada ko nang sinisinghot ang halimuyak ng kanilang pabango, at pag naaamoy ko ito’y sumasabay sa aking ala-ala ang nakalipas na tatlong dekada kong pagbabantay dito,” ang pagkuwento ni Klein. “Ang tanda niyo na pala noh? Kaya pala hinahanap ko kung san yung amoy lupa,” ang pabirong pag sabi ni Calvin. “Hoy, Calvin, iyang bunganga mo susungalngalan ko ng pabango yan hanggang sa bumango, bwiset ka!”

Inakyat nila ang lumang torre na yari sa laryo sa gitna ng pabrika. “Alam mo, Calvin, panahon pa ng kastila itong torre na ito, ayaw tanggalin ng may-ari dahil swerte daw sa kanya ito, napapansin ang kanyang pabrika.” “Ang ganda ng tanawin dito, at mahangin, kitang-kita ko rin ang buong paligid ng pabrika,” ang sabi ni Calvin.

     Napansin ni Calvin na tahimik lamang na nagmamasid si Klein sa kawalan at tila may mabigat na iniisip. “Ser, ganda ng drama angle niyo diyan ah, pwedeng pang kalye-serye, Alden Nitso, ikaw ba yan?”

     “May pangarap ka ba, Calvin?” ang tanong ni Klein, “Dito, sa loob ng pitong oras nagiging sa iyo ang pabrika, babantayan mo ito, ngunit pag putok ng umaga’y sa kanila na ulit, pangarap ko noon na magtayo ng kagaya nito, isang pagawaan ng pabango, sa pabrika na ito ko rin nakita lahat ng pagkakamali sa paggawa ng isang pabango.” “Anong pagkakamali?” ang tanong ni Calvin.

     “Ang bote dito, kulay berde’t madilim sa mata, ang korte nito ay bilog parin, ang aking gusto ay papayatin ang bote, parang ikaw, at nakagawa na ako ng mas mabangong halimuyak na siguradong papatok. Sa tagal ko rito ay natutunan ko narin kung paano gumawa. Natatakot lang ako magsimulang muli, wala akong kasama, at kulang ako sa pera.” Ang sabi ni Klein.

     “Sir, may alam ako sa pagpapatakbo ng negosyo, may tindahan kami, at may kilala din akong gumagawa ng bote, pwede natin doon ipayari yun, may ipon din ako, pagsamahin natin ang pera natin at bumuo ng negosyo,” ang paanyaya ni Calvin.

     “Ano itatawag natin sa negosyo natin? Pagtatanong ni Klein. “Dapat kakaiba, dapat astig, pang-first class ang dating, parang pangalan natin. Calvin at Klein… Edi Calvin Klein! Pang-international ang pangalan natin diba.”

     “Ano naman itatawag natin sa pabango natin?” “Sir, sa tingin ko “One” dahil una natin eh, ‘Calvin Klein One’ ang itawag natin.” “Nako Calvin, mahaba – “CK One” ang itatawag natin diyan.”

     At diyan nagsimula ang alamat ng Calvin Klein.