End of the month movie reviews

Jet Lag - I watched this on Star Movies. It was in French with English subtitles. Good enough acting by Jean Reno and Juliette Binoche. A chance encounter with a stranger that leads to a romance plot. It got me wondering how come in my numerous travels I never met someone that way! Tough luck!

Callas Forever - I stayed up late to see this on Star Movies. I'm not an opera fan but I've heard of Maria Callas. The tragedy of her life is Onassis never married her, he instead hooked up with Jacqueline Kennedy. Ain't that dramatic? Well anyways the film picks up on her life in Paris as a recluse. She is trying to stage a comeback through the guidance of a manager played by the indefatigable Jeremy Irons. The French actress Fanny Ardant portrayed her well from the uncunning resemblance to the theatrics of a fading diva.

Wasabi - is part of my foreign movies collection. But it is dubbed in English so the audio is murky. A Jean Reno starrer set in Japan. A rather simplistic plot where the lead character discovers he has a daughter with a Japanese woman. A child he never knew existed. More of an action flick than anything else. The actress who portrayed the daughter though irritated me to high heavens.

The Four Feathers - one of those VCDs I bought for a mere P75. Very interesting tale of bravery, cowardice, heroism entwined with patriotism. Heath Ledger projects well on screen but he sometimes mumbles his words. Or maybe my ears are failing me. Either way it is a riveting saga set against the backdrop of an unfortunate war in Sudan by the British forces. I like movies which dwell on contemporary history!

Crimson Rivers - January seemed to have been the Jean Reno festival month. I bought this movie in Dubai but never had the time to watch it back then. It is dubbed in English and it stars Vincent cassel in a good role. A bit gruesome but it all leads up to a twist in the end. Sort of teetering on the edge of your seat type of movie.

Ocean's 12 - George Clooney! Need I say more? Well the original was better! It seemed like a good excuse to just reassemble the entire cast and go off on an European junket and have fun while making the movie. Bruce Willis as himself was hilarious!

Far From Heaven - a low budget film which perhaps had a slow run at the theaters. So I was glad I caught it on TV. Julianne Moore is a Stepford wife-y character who stumbles upon the truth behind her husband's secret lifestyle. She is one of the most underrated actresses in Hollywood yet she adds essence to each role she portrays.

Elf - a bit late for Christmas but I still borrowed it. I wanted to chill out with a feel good in a fun way movie.

The Butterfly Effect - has an interesting premise for a story. The lead character is given several chances to make changes in his past so his present life turns out for the best. Yet just how many times can you alter something just so your life is picture perfect? The countless twists towards the end of the movie drove me nuts.

Jersey Girl - I believe this would make a good date movie. It was simple, no murders, no mystery to figure out, no lessons learned - it is just pleasant! Ben Affleck has been getting a lot of flak for turning out flops this one included but hey would you ever credit him for his acting ability? I don't think so.

The Clearing - only the cast of Robert Redford, Helen Mirren & Willem Dafoe salvaged this lousy plot. Otherwise it had nothing going for itself.

Meet The Fockers - the casting was an excellent coup for this movie. Plot wise it was less corny than the original one. Hilariously funny scenes which had me laughing so loud I had tears in my eyes. A good one!

Open Water - I was too scared to watch this in the theaters so when I saw it at the video store it caught my attention. Being left behind by a boat in the middle of the ocean is a very terrifying situation. But hey it was based on a true story, so go figure. Till now I can't get over the fact how that couple met their tragic end. Dehydration, drifting away in shark infested waters. Gosh I had nightmares for days.

Catwoman - Halle Berry in a leather cat outfit, Sharon Stone still looking good despite her 'advanced' years, Benjamin Bratt yummy as always. That's about it. The story was not engaging at all. Now I know why this film received 7 razzie nominations! Total letdown.

Freaky Friday - Mother and daughter switching bodies much to their chagrin. There were some funny scenes, lessons learned from being in someone's else shoes so to speak, just a fun film. Jamie Lee Curtis & Lindsay Lohan were pretty convincing in their roles.

Chasing Liberty - Not bad seeing a teenager gallivanting all over Europe - Prague, Venice, Berlin - only she happens to be the daughter of the US President and played by Mandy Moore. Ewww! The actor who played the undercover Secret Service agent though was really cute with his deep voice! His accent was lovely!

Stuck on You - Matt Damon & Greg Kinnear stuck together as conjoined twins. That in itself is funny already. It could have been corny but it wasn't. Or maybe I'm just too shallow that silly stuffs make me laugh right away.

I forget myself!
Yes Girlie, I had another pamper me day at the spa yesterday. I indulged in a body salt glow.
I say indulge because I don't like being touched and massaged. I have certain sensitive spots on my back when poked can result in a violent reaction from me. LOL
So anyways there I was being scrubbed with this grainy salt like substance which was very fragrant. The vigorous rubbing exfoliate your dead skin cells. This is good for the circulation. From my neck down to my toes in a room dimly lit with aromatherapy candles.
To distract my mind from the fact that I was naked (wearing only a disposable panty) and being brushed with a loofah (a situation that made me really uncomfortable because I'm very conscious of my not so perfect body) I kept humming this Blondie song in my head. Hey don't ask me why and whom I was thinking of! But it worked! ;)
Then I'm wrapped up in a cellophane and covered with a towel for 30 minutes. I could feel the salt start to melt and moisturize my skin. I drifted into a semi dreamlike state having really pleasant thoughts of being in a special place.
It was so relaxing and soothing I didn't want to go home. My skin is now so tingly soft I feel like melted butter. I ate a tuna sandwich for dinner and fell asleep by 9:30 pm. Imagine that!

Musical Tag
I've been tagged by Misty.

Random 10:
1. "L'amour en France" - Alain Chamfort
2. "Amazing" - George Michael
3. "Lost in Space" - Lighthouse Family
4. "Eleos" - Amr Diab & Angela Dimitriou
5. "Fragile" - Maria Mena
6. "Moonlight over Paris" - Paolo Santos
7. "La Mer" - Francoise Hardy
8. "100 Years" - Five for Fighting
9. "Sway" - Bic Runga
10. "La Vie en Rose" - Patricia Kass

1. What is the total amount of music files on your computer?
I currently have about 175 files on my hard drive. I have alot more saved on zip drives and USB drives. Rather huge collection and mixed variety.

2. The last CD you bought is:
It was a Christmas CD - a medley of carols (Dec. 2004.)

3. What is the last song you listened to before this message:
"Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps" by Mari Wilson.

4. Write down five songs you listen to a lot or mean a lot to you:
1. "You Raise Me Up" - Josh Groban.
2. "Flying without Wings" - Westlife
3. "Feels like Home" - Chantal Kreviazuk.
4. "Fait comme si" - Claude Francois.
5. "Tamally Maak" - Amr Diab.

5. Who are you gonna pass this stick to? (3 persons and why)
Flare - so he can finally update his blog :D
Jax - she loves music too!
Toni - you've been tagged!

Wooohooo it's Friday again. Pamper me Day Yeehawww! Time does fly by so fast. Soon it would be February! Gosh!

Hi, I'm Daphne and I'm an internet addict!

This is interesting and yes I'm guilty as charged! LOL

12 Step Program Of Recovery For Internet Addicts
1) I will have a cup of coffee in the morning and read my newspaper like I used to, before the Internet.

2) I will eat breakfast with a knife and fork and not with one hand typing.

3) I will get dressed before noon.

4) I will make an attempt to clean the house, wash clothes, and plan dinner before even thinking of the Internet.

5) I will sit down and write a letter to those unfortunate few friends and family that are Internet deprived.

6) I will call someone on the phone who I cannot contact via the Internet.

7) I will read a book...If I still remember how.

8) I will listen to those around me and their needs and stop telling them to turn the TV down so I can hear the music on the Internet.

9) I will not be tempted during TV commercials to check for email.

10) I will try and get out of the house at least once a week, if it is necessary or not.

11) I will remember that my bank is not forgiving if I forget to balance my checkbook because I was too busy on the Internet.

12) Last, but not least, I will remember that I must go to bed sometime ... And the Internet will always be there tomorrow.

I'm done!
Finally submitted my project and met the deadline, just in time. I spent the past 4 days working on it.
Now I can finally sleep!!!
This song from the TV show "The Coupling" kept me sane. It was droning on to my subconscious as I tinkered with html codes and scripts!
I'm a big fan of that show. It is hilarious! In fact it is way better than that other show. You know ... the one with Monica, Chandler, Rachel, Phoebe, Joey & Ross! Yes, I'm one of the few people on this earth who hated "Friends", so bite me! :D

Perhaps, perhaps, perhaps
You won't admit you love me
And so how am I ever to know
You only tell me
Perhaps perhaps perhaps
A million times I ask you
And then I ask you over Again
You only answer
Perhaps perhaps perhaps
If you can't make your mind up
We'll never get started
And I don't wanna' wind up
Being parted broken hearted
So if you really love me, Say yes
But if you don't, dear, Confess
And please don't tell me
Perhaps, perhaps, perhaps
If you can't make your mind up
We'll never get started
And I don't wanna' wind up
Being parted, broken hearted
So if you really love me, Say yes
But if you don't, dear, Confess
And please don't tell me
Perhaps, perhaps, perhaps
Perhaps, perhaps, perhaps
Perhaps, perhaps, perhaps

It is rather rare ...
... for my hair to be this straight. I went for a hot oil treatment and a trim yesterday. Can you believe the last time I went to the salon was in July 2004 right before the trip to Singapore & Bangkok? Yes it has been that long! So anyhoo I'm relishing the way my hair feels right now, soft, tangle free, no single curl a swaying, flat on my forehead! Even though it makes my face alot more chubby! I'm starting to enjoy these pamper me Fridays. I just might do it every week! :D

Friday's Feast

Appetizer
What is one quality you really admire about yourself?
I'm a nurturing person!

Soup
What kind of shampoo and conditioner do you use?
Palmolive's silky straight shampoo & Cream Silk's black henna conditioner.

Salad
Describe your favorite movie scene. You know, the one that just gets to you every time you watch it.
It would have to be the part in Love Actually where Mark confesses how he truly feels for Juliet. He shows up in front of her house and tells her:

Mark: [on sheets of poster board] With any luck, by next year - I'll be going out with one of these girls.
[shows pictures of beautiful supermodels]
Mark: But for now, let me say - Without hope or agenda - Just because it's Christmas - And at Christmas you tell the truth - To me, you are perfect - And my wasted heart will love you - Until you look like this [picture of a mummy]
Mark: Merry Christmas

Main Course
If you were a veggie, which one would you be, and why?
I would be a petit chou ... I mean a cauliflower. Why? Oh I just love eating them that's all!

Dessert
If you could take a weekend trip within 100 miles of your current residence, where would you like to go?
Hmm Tagaytay definitely. Not sure if it is within 100 miles of my home. I'm not good with calculating distances.


Alright I'm off to have a trim and maybe another facial! Yes it's pamper me Friday. Wooohoo!

Nowadays
When I go out I probably end up spending my money on:

Vcds (preferably foreign films)

My current food cravings - this month are those delicious beef patties from De original Jamaican pattie shop. Gosh I love them, the spicier the better. Soo yummy.

Undies - well specifically bra. I don't know why I suddenly developed this need to fill my closet with them. Different colors! So Ernie & Bert are upliftingly pampered. Yes that's their names according to this site. LOL It's fun answering all those quizzes.

Movie tickets - my cinema of choice is at the Power Plant, Rockwell. Even if they have increased their prices to P101 for their matinee shows (movies shown before 5pm)! I watched "Meet the Fockers" this afternoon! It was hilarious. Truly enjoyable! Just what I needed because I've been working on a project since the weekend. I felt the need to amuse myself and take a break from all those freaking codes and scripts clouding my weary mind.

Renting movies. Movie junkie that I am, it is very convenient to have a video store right in the building where I live.

Not on clothes, bags or shoes.
Not on household items.
Not on electronic gadgets.
Not on office supplies.

But know what?
I get giddy as a witch flying around on her broomstick.
In short, I'm happy! :)