Mother's Day The Movie: Cliche'd and Unmemorable

This is to remind everyone that before the elections on Monday, Mother's Day sa Sunday ha, kaya call or kiss your Mom, even if magkaiba kayo ng bobotohin!

Well, the Garry Marshall helmed movie Mother's Day brings some of our generation's A-list actresses like Julia Roberts, Jennifer Aniston and Kate Hudson. However, I feel that with such a weak script, they didn't have much to work on.

The movie has some funny and cute moments but it's really a Hollywood formulaic movie through and through. The movie puts too many things into the whole story - may racism, homophobia, the sexy second wife, the insecure divorced Mom, plus all the travails and troubles of a working single mother.

Yun lang, since the actors are all pleasant to watch, ayun, it's easy to go along for the ride. Yeah, you can bring your Mom to watch this. It's pretty lightweight fare.

Ishmael Bernal's Comedy Classic Salawahan: My Favorite TV Show This week

One of Ishmael Bernal's classics, Salawahan, a comedy so funny, I was falling off my chair, is my most favorite TV show this week.

Here are my ten favorite TV shows for the week ending November 8, 2013 -

#1 Cinema One - Salawahan - Jay Ilagan

#2 Nat Geo - Pinoy Hoops

#3 History - Mount Rushmore - Ku Klux Klan

#4 beTV - Drop Dead Diva - vampire/partner

#5 beTV - Everybody Loves Raymond - Girl Scout cookies

#6 beTV - Everybody Loves Raymond - FBI

#7 Animal Planet - I Lived - rattlesnake

#8 Bio - Julia Roberts

#9 CI - Medical Detectives - Budget Suites - contractor killer

#10 Nat Geo - I Wouldn't Go In There - Clark Air Base

Revisiting The First Wives Club

It was a blast to see The First Wives Club again tonight!  I can't believe it has been 16 years since the movie has been released!  I still enjoyed watching the movie even if it was ages ago and the troika of Diane Keaton, Bette Midler and Goldie Hawn were great in the movie.  

It got me thinking though - what if the movie was done today, which three actresses would be perfect to play the three roles.  My friend, Archie suggested, Julia Roberts, Sandra Bullock and Angelina Jolie - and I gave him the thumbs up!  I would've thought Nicole Kidman as well - and maybe a woman of color - Halle Berry or Salma Hayek.  I think it's about time they made a sequel for this and update it a bit!  So much has changed in the past two decades!

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Movie Review: Lightweight Hanks-Roberts Tandem in 'Larry Crowne'

I haven't seen a movie from this two for the longest time!  Julia Roberts appeared only for a few scenes in Valentine's Day.  And as for Tom Hanks, I just keep seeing his name as Producer for many HBO TV series. 

Anyhow, Larry Crowne would have been a perfect vehicle for both A-list actors ten years ago, but today's romantic comedies are a bit edgy and Larry Crowne, although it talks of job loss and recession, is quite lightweight for this day and age.

Unfortunately, being cute doesn't really translate to being funny.  I don't remember too many funny lines in the movie.  It's a movie that these two can act with their eyes closed! 

Better to skip this and just watch the DVD.

Role Models: Julia Roberts' Character in Pretty Woman

I was watching one scene in Clint Eastwood's Gran Torino and the Hmong girl's character was thanking Clint's character for being a role model to her younger brother.  That got me thinking of who were my role models while I was growing up.  I came up with this list of five wonderful female celebrities who I've used as my inspiration and role models. 

* Julia Robert's character in Pretty Woman

In this unforgettable 1990's comedy, Julia plays the role of a hooker with a golden heart.  She became one of my first clear role models because I saw, that despite her profession, she chose to take control of her life, to run it the way she wanted it. 

Why was that important to me?

Well, because in the 1990s, I was still debating whether to come out as a gay man or pretend to be straight and just get married, like everyone else. After I saw this movie, I knew I had to live my life the way I want it.  As her character says, "I say who, I say when,...I say who...". 

Also, in one key scene, she gets mad at Richard Gere's character because he tells his friend that she was a hooker.  She says, "Why did you dress me up?  If I were in my trashy clothes, I would have been able to fight back."  It got me thinking, if I pretend to be straight, and get a girlfriend, the rumours and the gossip around me will never stop!! If I just come out as gay, if someone taunts me, I can fight him or her better, since I'm not hiding anything.  So I decided to just come out.  So that's why this hooker with a golden heart is the most important role model in my life. 

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Finding Pleasure In The Small Things

Because Julia Robert's movie 'Eat, Pray, Love' is showing right now, some of the local columnists have been talking about what the movie and the book has been talking about.  I came across this article by Cathy Babao-Guballa where she talked about finding pleasure in the small things.  It got me thinking where I find my own pleasure, without having to pay a cent for it -

1.  Exercising in the gym - I know it's a bit weird but I love doing Body Jam and Body Balance, so much so that I schedule my gym appointments around those classes. Almost always!  If there's no Body Jam class, or a Hiphop class, I go to another branch!  At least, that way, it keeps me going to the gym always and check my weight!

2.  Eye candy in the gym - I am just like any other guy, quite visual, so the gym is the perfect place to have a glimpse of those heavenly bodies.  I never even talk to them.  Just ogling them is fine!

3.  Chocolate - whether it be a chocolate bar, or M&Ms or chocolate biscuits, I just love munching on them!!

4.  Watching my favorite shows on TV or watching a good movie - I work almost endlessly, even when I'm watching TV or HBO or Star Movies.  If they're any good - it makes me reflect on my own life, and at least is a good way to accompany me whilst I blog

5.  Hanging out with friends - I try to schedule this at least twice a week and segue them into my schedule. I love being alone, but I try also to find time to make chicka with some of my closest friends.

6.  Making out - I'm a guy, and I love doing it!

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