Brave: Movie review

Brave's theatrical poster

Have you seen the movie Braveheart which is taken at Scotland? 

Be amazed as Disney Pixar’s latest masterpiece, Brave revives your senses never in such a magical and virtual way. 

In the film, set in the Highlands of Scotland, a skilled archer named Merida defies an age-old custom, causing chaos in her kingdom. After consulting a witch for help, her family becomes cursed and Merida is forced to undo the spell herself before it is too late. In the world where women nowadays love to color their hair with brown or its different shades, her thick burgundy curly hair outstands. Alike with her identical triplets’ hair: Hamish, Hubert and Harris. Their brunt characters are remarkable about this movie.

Families and kids of all ages flocked to watch this, earning it the top spot at the box office, with a $ 469,266,000.00. 

Based on the strength of the movie – little girls and likely their moms will want to watch this very original Disney Princess Merida again and again – Brave is an instant classic. And it marks the 13th straight number one movie opening for Pixar Animation Studio.

This is also the first movie from Pixar wherein the protagonist is woman—the strength of the movie is that men let the women speak their mind. Along the conversation between King Fergus and his wife, Queen Elinor, there’s a sense of understanding and compromise. Meanwhile as Merida is growing up the tension and misunderstanding involving her and her mom increases too. The heartfelt mother-daughter tale pushes the envelope of computer animation, while sticking with an original story that turns the classic Disney faerie tale inside out.

One the famous lines from the movie:

Princess Merida: I want my freedom!
Queen Elinor: But are you willing to pay the price your freedom will cost?

The music under and country songs insert exquisiteness of the Highlands of Scotland, and Pixar hired real Scottish actors like Craig Ferguson (Lord Macintosh) and Kelly Macdonald (Merida). 

When it comes to special effects, the will-o'-the-wisp (moving light that appears and disappears immediately) adds flavor to the movie setting. As it leads Merida to meet the witch and requested her to make a potion for her mother to change, but the spell made her mother turned into a bear. The twist in this film was heartfelt as the development of each character grows and fortifies.

The film is about changing your fate—Merida, Queen Elinor, king Fergus, the triplets slowly change as the movie ends. 

Another, happy-ever-after film from Disney minus Merida's Prince charming. 

Originally, Brave's title is The bow and the bear

 One of the film's main setting

Draft illustration of Si Leah at ang magic palayok

7th Kiddie Party Checklist

1. Think of a theme. (polka dots, cartoons, disney character)
2. Create a team. (check na check.hehehe)
3. Timeline, budget and coordination.
4. Practice of the cotillion. Kiddos' dress and garments.
5. Search for a song in the cotillion.
6. Program which includes games, ice breaker, etc.
7. Venue is in Malate
8. Search for a catering, balloons, chairs, tables, b-day tarp, party poppers, bubbles,
cake, cupcakes, party hats (depending on the theme).
9. Sound system, photographer, videographer, emcee, clown or magician.
10. Patience with the kids.=)
11. Invitations.
12. Suppliers.

----waiting for another re-grouping for more details.----

Keep my cool, cause I'm excited much! :)

The best thing there is that me and the kid has the same birthday! :)))

Making sure that it'll turn out to be the most memorable celebration ever for the kid.;)

A tale of a Sanguine woman about Habagat

Amidst the recent deluge, Habagat that swamped Metro Manila and its neighboring provinces, we saw the intrinsic humor of Filipino people. This humor, coupled with an en0rmous amount of faith, proved to be the Pinoy’s floater in the swim of life. Happiness is found in the heroism displayed by those who did not think twice to rescue the helpless. In times of trouble, and despite their many differences, Filipinos hold hands and watch each other’s back and display the utmost act of kindness. In moments of need they become one. Every act of kindness automatically brings happiness to the soul.

My tale starts when a continuous heavy rain marsh our house. I came from office and walked along the flooded street of Pandacan. I saw how the flood slowly overflow our bungalow house, starting from the dining area going to our….opppss not there, please--bedroom. I heard the flood saying, no time to listen to your plea. Since, we’re all women in our house (me, my mom and my sister)—adrenaline rush, panic and alarm rolled into one arises our weak selves. So, imagine us rolling our sleeves up like a Macho man ready to put our stuff in a safer place. Good thing, my sister who’s the strongest among all of us, was so determined to save everything to the extent of huddling the water from the floor and putting it in three basins. Actually for almost two days that’s what we’re doing. But last Wednesday, no amount of strong arms can cease the flood’s overflow, even though we’re like practicing for a Dragon boat racing, Nadah-- so we let the flood flow. We compare the struggles that we experience from Ondoy to that night, and I think we’re more prepared and geared up.

I’m just glad that we’re born crazy and happy. We still see humor on our situation. We laugh at our folly while looking at some of the little garbage that we had. We continued watching the news and receive some updates from PAG-ASA. Yes, some of things were wrecked. We slept together frightened if we’d wake up floating in the flood. But hey, by God’s provision we literally woke, still with the flood, in which we could use for washing our face. But with faith, that we’re still alive. Yes, we’ve got bruised, traumatized and exhausted but it didn’t end us living angry with the situation—it made us more alert, braver and more grateful.

Because we’re also flooded with our relatives, friends, LOJ family, Media Ministry friends, officemates’ concerns, prayers and assistance. I know as I’m writing this, some of are brothers and sisters whose situation is worse than us. But I believe that in moments of defeat, like a phoenix rising from its ashes, God’s people will held their head high as they remain magnanimous. They’ll slowly restore what they lost 7 times fold. They’ll be more blessed.

Songs To Remember (Songs review)

FLEXING muscles in hands and legs, pivoting all over the stage. Gosh, never to mention the nostalgic alternative crossed-over into Enigmatic music, then turned into Juke box popular song for every scene. You could see a wooed and amazed crowd which results in an endless and loud applauses. Definitely, it’s a World-class performance as CCP & Ballet Philippines showcased once again a superb performance featuring Candice Acea, Ballet Philippines’ Principal dancer who won First Price, Senior Women’s Division at the recently concluded Helsinki International Ballet Competition. While her partner Jean Marc Cordero won a Special Jury Award for the Best in Pas de Deux Technique (partnering). Featuring works by BP artistic director Paul Alexander Morales, Agnes Locsin, Alden Lugnasin and French choreographer Rheda.

Candice and JM during their Helsinki International Ballet Competition

Lay-out design

Let me enumerate the cut-to-cut wow performances:

* Retro/70’s

-          The music under that they used is alternative with an emotional theme. The first two performers, a woman and man danced a combination of modern ballet, jazz, copeoara. Their expressive performance turned the audience hooked on the story that they’re telling. One thing that gives zest of humor on their stunts was the left and right bashing of their heads. Of course, the highlight was when Candice and John took the scene while wearing a 197o’s costume and changing the spectrum of light in different hues. Woah, the retro fever is contagious!

* Flexing-muscle man

-          This performance is one of the oddest yet catchy. The man mimics different kinds of animals’ movement. He loosens his muscles all over his body and keeps on flipping, flying in the air and evolving in an unusual creature during his scene. His facial expression gives justice to his performance too. Perfect!

*  Enigmatic and crippling

-          Sometimes, an art has its own way of expressing itself—whether it’s understandable or not, which makes it pleasing yet intriguing into one’s mind and perspective. That’s what’s exactly working on my mind while watching that longest yet one of the most “wow” piece.

The entrance of the warrior-like men gave me an idea that’s it’s going to be a huge performance. And my hunch was correct especially when the women, wearing an intricate designed dress started their act. I’m wondering where the setting is from, but it seems like it’s a tribe in which

women hold a certain control and fierceness—in the way they hold their dress and smash it, the way they look at the men and the way they walk held up-high. The music gives everyone an idea a sense of urgency and alertness, because of war—not just only between different parties, but also with gender equality. There were instances when women hold their skirts and bash it in the air, and the sound it produced, calls the spectator’s attention that she doesn’t want to remain passive. It consequently depicts a feminist view.

On the other hand, the color of their dress suits to the spotlight that they used. The intense music and sound effects add to the thrills and chills of an ascending sequence and the height of the show. The passion of their facial expression undeniably adds in conveying the moral of the narrative. The choreography is exceptionally fantastic. Honestly, to describe it as fantastic is underrated. Anyhow, the backdrop compliments the color of the performers’ garment.

Finally, when women do the silhouette dance it concludes that although they were born to be silent and passive (in the context of their environment), behind that they’ll still move gracefully.

Despite the fuzziness that I felt while watching it, the show’s impact is immense!

Intense!

* Mascara dance

-           On this part, I remember the Mascara festival in Bacolod. This also one of the funniest stunts in the whole performance. The music’s beat is catchy as well, opening your mind in the world of tribes and wildlife too.

* Music box

-          Does becoming a Ballerina/o became your childhood fantasy, especially when you look at the music box then once playing it, a ballerina will start pivoting?

Never mind what your answer is, this is what I thought of when I see a group of ballerinas dancing on this scene. It’s classic yet dreamy. It’ll transport you into a world of sweet wonderland.

*  The Highlight

-          Closed curtains. Hmmm… Am expecting a grandiose act on this and my anticipation was met. Open curtains….Voila, there are three huge chandeliers hanging above the ceiling, plus the entrance of Candice and JM. Hold up!  Am I in Helsinki or in another part of Europe? Ok, I pinched myself—I’m still in CCP. It made me sooo proud to watch these two performed, they’re so elegant and effortless. Their polka dots garments made me thought of candy version of Willy Wonka in Charlie and the chocolate factory or a Matruscka doll in Russia. Gosh, I turned out to be a fan girl waiting for their autograph after the performance. They garnered the loudest applause! Their world-class performance made perfectly convinced us why they won. =)

Itsy-bitsy-teeny-weeny-yellow polka dots partner!

*  Juke box queen

-          “This is my life.” I became LSS with that jukebox song used on this performance. The frontliner here is one of the graceful dancers among all of them. She’s flexible and expert in a lot of ballet techniques. She received great compliments such as “bravo” and standing ovation from the people watching her.

Laughter in the rain

“Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens

Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens

Brown paper packages tied up with strings

These are the few of my favorite thing."

Carla hums that song as she watches the raindrops outside her window. She quietly shivers with the low temperature and as her eyes set unexpectedly on the scar on her arms. That scar came from being too happy. She recalls that one memorable afternoon of boisterous laughter, sweaty little bodies, hyperactive and flexible movements with her friend.

“Carla, chase after me.” Rolly said to her.

“Woah, are you challenging me?” She asked proudly.

“Yeah, let’s see if you can beat me!”

“Game!”

They run after each other, not even bother if they sometimes fall. Girls will cheer for Carla and the boys, nonetheless for Rolly. Playground---literally turned out to be an adventure spot for these two kids. They possess that time, as Carla thought, but their silliness and cheerfulness had its limit when Carla’s mom—a very strict teacher gripped her hand as she looked hostile to her daughter. 

The children looked shocked with their teacher’s action.

“Why are you running after that little boy?” Her mom angrily asked.

“Mom, we’re just playing since its recess time.” She shockingly answered.

“How many times did I tell you to lock inside the library and study-- How many times?”

Carla didn’t answer back.

She remembers how her mom strikes a thick ruler on her arms—leaving her in crippling pain.  While looking at the scars, she knows that her sweet memory about herself and her mother fades.

Is she growing up stiffly without any reason to find joy?

Is she meant to tire herself in a small room without any chance to roam in a playground?

And on that night, the 12-year old girl went out from her house. She ran in the rain, the way she chased Rolly. The raindrops sound like the laughter of his classmate. She tiptoed and danced circling in the shower. All she wanted is to play in the rain as part of her favorite thing…And she appreciates again the two lost years of boring and restricting herself.

Carla's not aware that her grandma saw her—she called her and said, “Did you enjoy it?”

“Yes, grandma.” She answered with a twinkling eyes and smile.

She won’t forget that night.

She would always remember the rain.

She’ll always laugh like she once did in a playground.

She’ll be carrying the scars, but not the wound anymore.

"When the dog bites
When the bee stings
When I'm feeling sad
I simply remember my favorite things
And then I don't feel so bad"

Her grandma sang to her while wrapping a towel on her wet shirt.

Google photo

--30--

Dreaming of a bliss world

Uhhmm. Uhmmm.

Recalling my student's remark on me:

"You like an Indian Princess!"

Waiting for the one--where I should have had.