The Four-eyed Journal » Entertainment

The Time Traveller’s Wife – a film review

jhay — Sun, 05 Dec 2010 02:46:01 +0000

It was probably a mistake that I watched the film version before finishing the book, which I was about to do in a couple of days. But last night was ideal for a Saturday movie night so the girlfriend and I decided to watch The Time Traveller’s Wife. Yes, it’s the movie adaptation of that best-selling novel of the same title by Audrey Niffenegger. A couple of weeks ago, I used my PowerBooks gift card to get myself a new copy of the book. Until last night I had finished reading 3/4 of the book.

I was surprised that Eric Bana was casted to play the role of Henry DeTamble, the protagonist who has a very peculiar genetic abnormality. He time travels. Without his control. Reading the book, I had completely no idea about the film’s actors, director etc. So I had a completely different mental picture and impression of who Henry was until I saw Eric Bana’s portrayal of him. It was a bit difficult to reconcile the two but after the first twenty minutes I got the hang of it and was enjoying Bana’s performance.

Starring opposite him was Rachelle McAdams whose portrayal of the lovable Clare Abshire made up for the fact that about 50%, or more, of the book was never seen on the film adaptation. Many parts of the book and the characters central to those parts which in turn were crucial in laying the foundation for Henry and Clare’s time-torn relationship were left out.

Not shown were the part when Henry was invited over to Clare’s apartment, meeting for the first time Gomez and Charrise, who would become their closest friends. Also cut was the Christmas dinner Henry had with Clare’s family. And the ever-reliable Mrs Kim and again, the dinner she hosted for Henry, Clare and his father after the two got engaged.

The book was published in 2004 and the movie premiered 2009. In that span of time, millions have already read the book and still do today, so after seeing the film, I was left kind of lost and really wanting for more. Judging by the reviews I’ve read on the web, I’m not alone on this one.

I know there’s a lot to put into a two-hour movie, so the logical approach, as is common with book-to-film projects these days, is have it in installment. What were the producers thinking? Come on Brad Pitt¹.

Despite the huge shortcomings of the film, I enjoyed seeing the novel visualized. Having a few parts of the novel portrayed differently is forgivable, after all we were left to see a distilled version of the film; the struggle Henry and Clare went through because of the former’s chrono-impairment. A love story that literally endured time.

Another consolation was knowing that the movie’s ending is different from the novel’s, so I’m actually more excited now to finish reading the book because the film never really spoiled it.

Footnotes:

Brad Pitt is the movie’s executive producer

Official Final Fantasy XIII US/EU release date

jhay — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 09:00:47 +0000

My high school buddies, hard core fans of the Final Fantasy games have been long waiting for this one. Official announcement from Square Enix says that the newest installment in the long-running franchise, Final Fantasy XIII will be released in the US and EU this coming March 9, 2010 and it will be available everywhere else soon after.

Check out the latest trailer for the game:

The delay was caused by developing an XBOX 360 version of the game, but I’m sure the wait would be worth it.

Hat tip to Atma Xplorer

81st Academy Awards Results – Hoorah to Heath Ledger

jhay — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 01:03:16 +0000

Annoyingly, our local cable network didn’t have ABC channel so I wasn’t able to watch the 81st Academy Awards or the Oscars last Monday, local time.

I really wanted to watch it because two of my favorite actors were up for top awards; Sean Penn for Best Actor for the film “Milk” (Of which I’ve yet to see) and the late Heath Ledger for Actor in Supporting Role for the movie “The Dark Knight”.

Much to my joy they won! Wohoo! I’ve become a fan of Sean Penn long ago when I saw the movie “Mystic River”. As for the late Heath Ledger, his movies have always been in my “must-see list”. It’s also touching that the actors and actresses who starred in the multi-awarded “Slumdog Millionaire” dedicated their Oscars to the memory of Heath Ledger. It almost makes you burst into tears.

I’m a bit disappointed that Anne Hathaway didn’t bagged the Best Actress award but the nomination speaks for itself, she’s definitely an actress to be reckoned with.

That’s it for my two cents about the 81st Academy Awards, now it’s time to look forward to the next.

I leave with a list of full results, congratulations to everyone in Hollywood.

Motion Picture: “Slumdog Millionaire”
Actor: Sean Penn, “Milk”
Actress: Kate Winslet, “The Reader”
Supporting Actor: Heath Ledger, “The Dark Knight”
Supporting Actress: Penelope Cruz, “Vicky Cristina Barcelona”

Director: Danny Boyle, “Slumdog Millionaire”
Foreign Film: “Departures,” Japan
Adapted Screenplay: Simon Beaufoy, “Slumdog Millionaire”
Original Screenplay: Dustin Lance Black, “Milk”

Animated Feature Film: “WALL-E”
Art Direction: “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”
Cinematography: “Slumdog Millionaire”
Sound Mixing: “Slumdog Millionaire”
Sound Editing: “The Dark Knight”

Original Score: “Slumdog Millionaire,” A.R. Rahman
Original Song: “Jai Ho” from “Slumdog Millionaire,” A.R. Rahman and Gulzar
Costume: “The Duchess”

Documentary Feature: “Man on Wire”
Documentary (short subject): “Smile Pinki”
Film Editing: “Slumdog Millionaire”
Makeup: “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”

Animated Short Film: “La Maison en Petits Cubes”
Live Action Short Film: “Spielzeugland (Toyland)”
Visual Effects: “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”

Dragonball: Evolution – Movie trailer

jhay — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 02:54:15 +0000

Read about this a week or two ago but I was only to watch the full trailer for the upcoming live-action movie based on the uber-popular manga/anime series Dragonball Z today.

I don’t know. Really, it feels awkward, cheesy and oh darn it! I just don’t know if the Dragonball fan in me is excited or disgusted by what was shown in the trailer. Maybe it’s the purist otaku inside me but I really couldn’t say I’d watch the movie when it comes out.

What about you guys? What do you think of the movie? Would you watch it?

Hala Pack Up by Eraseyourheads (Video + Lyrics)

jhay — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 05:33:49 +0000

By the time Bubble Gang went on air last Friday night, I was on my way to San Pablo, Laguna thereby causing me to miss that episode once more. Darn family balikbayans who suddenly come home for no apparent reason.

Anyways, here’s the enhanced video of the Eraserheads Reunion concert as spoofed by the ever-so-talented Michael V which was shown in last Friday’s Episode.

Below are the lyrics written by Bitoy, just brilliant.

Hala Pack Up by Eraseyourheads
Lyrics by Michael V.
Bubble Gang spoof

May sikat na banda
na ngayo’y magsasama
kaya nga halika sa harap
o ano? tara

Kailangan una sa pinto
baka maubusan ako
walang tiket na makuha
‘kala ko libre ‘di pala

Oh sabog aking mata
sa mga nakikita
andami-daming video
at saka may fireworks pa
sobrang lakas ng tama

di kaya nailang ang grupo’t parang nahiya
o di kaya mas sanay silang kasama ay iba
kahit ayaw mag group hug
di naman yun problema
di pa nga nakakarami ng mga kinakanta
may naganap na drama

papapack up ba

huhuhu

biglang natigil ang tugtog
at ang tagal nakatayo
ilang minuto ang lumipas
hindi pa rin nagrarockrockan
natuyo aking mata
di ko na siya nakita
ako’y humirit pa at
mga fans nabitin na
gusto ko pa wala na

Thanks to Karla of Rockers’ World for the heads up and do check out her digest of the song’s lyrics. Asteeg!