Movies + Books

I was late for the 4:30 PM Sunday Mass yesterday at our Parish (because of the heavy traffic caused by the diaspora of new students/dormers - and theirkutsons - to the UPLB campus) so I decided to while away the time at the mall in front of the church and wait for the next, 6:00 PM mass. 

I went to the bargain books shop (not Booksale) at the ground level and I came across these books. I was suppose to buy Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon only but since was placed in the ‘buy one, take one’ shelf, I grabbed William Shakespeare in the Movies as the other half of the purchase.

And believe it or not, I bought these two books for just ninety-nine (99) pesos:

Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon

I came across the idea six degrees of separation last year after watching the trailer of the movie, Six Degrees of Separation from Lilia Cuntapay. “Six degrees of separation refers to the idea that everyone is on average approximately six steps away, by way of introduction, from any other person on Earth, so that a chain of, ‘a friend of a friend’ statements can be made, on average, to connect any two people in six steps or fewer.” [source] (Though I am familiar with the game of connecting one people to another by means of relationship, I do not know that there is a term for that until last year.)

Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon is a game based on the concept of the small world phenomenon and rests on the assumption that any individual involved in the Hollywood, California film industry can be linked through his or her roles to actor Kevin Bacon.

This is a trivia/game book that measures one’s BQ (or Bacon IQ). It contains 118 items that ranges from Hollywood’s greatest actors and actresses and television stars to the most obscure monsters and fictional characters. I have already browsed and read some of the items written and I was amazed at how the seemingly irrelevant names and things can be related to Kevin Bacon - in less than six steps. Kevin Bacon is indeed, ‘the center of Hollywood universe’.

Unfortunately, the book was published in 1996 during the height of the game’s popularity and Kevin Bacon has made more films since then. How about I update it personally? Not a bad idea but I think I should watch his previous movies first before doing such an ambitious dream.

Shakespeare in the Movies: From the Silent Era to Today

Honestly, I am not fond of reading the works of William Shakespeare (even though some of them were required readings during my Literature classes back in High School and College). But I am a big fan of the movie and theater adaptations of his works.

I first watched the 1968 Franco Zeffirelli movie adaptation of Romeo and Juliet starring Leonard Whiting and Olivia Hussey when I was in third year high school and it became one of my all-time favorites (well, probably because of Olivia Hussey’s big heart - if you know what I mean). During the course of my years as a student, I have watched the movie adaptations of some of his works (including the fictional Shakespeare in Love) and when I was a freshman in college, I had the chance to watch The Taming of the Shrew by Repertory Philippines. 

“Shakespeare in the Movies is a comprehensive and entertaining study of the many memorable film versions of Shakespeare’s timeless plays. Arranged in the order the plays were written, this extremely readable guide allows readers to follow Shakespeare’s development as a playwright (and screenwriter), and to compare the filmed versions of the play side by side.” [source] 

I love the movie adaptations of Shakespeare’s works so I thought this book will be a perfect companion to know him better. But after reading some of the book reviews online, I was disappointed to know that this book contains errors and there’s even a request that this book be pulled out of the bookshelves. Well, at least, I have a good place to start and it is up to me to find out what those errors are.

____________

Movies and books are two of my favorite past times and form of intellectual procrastination (Nuks!). I guess after reading these books, I have to dig at the archives (read: torrent files) of some of these classic, great movies.

Now if you may excuse me, I am saying goodbye to my social life for now. Because epistemologically speaking, books are necessary evil.

Au revoir!

Guilty Pleasures

 

After a stressful (yet fulfilling) week of facilitating a recollection and retreat to the High School students of Laguna State Polytechnic University last week, I decided to unwind and enjoy ‘the fruit of my labor’ yesterday.

I usually spend my paycheck, honorarium, salary, and stipend on just two things: Books and CDs/records. And here are the stuff that I purchased yesterday to add up to my colection:

The Sherlockian (Graham Moore)

I got addicted to Sir Arthur Conan-Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes after rediscovering it through the BBC series Sherlock. The American version starring Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law is quite okay but the TV series starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman made me love the character more. Or shall I say, it made me to be obsessed on Sherlock’s character (my Facebook timeline cover and my Tumblr display photo is Sherlock as portrayed by Benedict Cumberbatch.)

I first saw this book sometime last January during the time when the second season of Sherlock has just finished. I was looking for good books (read: window shopping) at National Book Store in SM Calamba when I saw this at the new arrival section. Hungry for a new Sherlock material (because the third season is scheduled to premiere on 2013), I decided to download an electronic copy of the book. But because it’s a pain in my eyes to read in front of the computer (I have no tablet nor an eBook reader) and I want a tangible, smelly book, I decided to save some of my earnings and buy this one.

Because I still have books that are scheduled to be read first, I have not yet taken it out from the plastic packaging. But I promise to make a review after I read it.

A Question of Heroes (Nick Joaquin)

I came across this book here on Tumblr. My good Tumblr buddies/idols Sir Nik (@iwriteasiwrite), Sir Kim (@ellobofilipino), Tita Marj (@margoism), Joseph (@brownmonkeytheory), and Myts (@marinjabin) either discuss this book or make this as a reference on their posts. I got curious especially when I learned that this book contains historical accounts/facts which are not discussed in school and it gives a different angle on how we view our heroes.

History is my favorite subject from Elementary to College (even though I suffered from teachers who did not teach history well).  I have been always fascinated with the stories of the past and how it continue to affect and shape the future. But I have been fed with the history of Zaide, Agoncillo, and Constantino in College so, according to what I have learned here, I have a biased and limited approach to history. (It’s funny to think that I have learned more about Philippine history after graduating from College by reading blogs and posts here on Tumblr.) 

I have painstakingly searched for this book for months here in the Laguna-Batangas area but to no avail. But I got my chance yesterday. This is one of the only two copies available on the bookstore (and this has a better condition compared to the other).

Simply put, this is Philippine History which was not taught to us in School.

Dalawang Mukha ng Pag-ibig (Ebe Dancel)

Five months after Sugarfree broke up, its front man and chief songwriter Ebe Dancel released his debut album as a solo artist with the title Dalawang Mukha ng Pag-ibig.

But my excitement for the album instantly fade away. It was the height of my, uhm, personal financial crisis. I cannot buy his 350-peso limited edition 2-CD debut album. Yeah, poor me.  I could have just illegally downloaded the songs then but no. I do not want to rob my favorite artist. I do not want to steal from the great man who created the anthems of my College years. Just as I supported his former band by buying their original albums, I must also give my full support for Ebe as a solo artist.

Painful as it was, I just let the months pass by without owning his album. But it was worth the wait. And my money. I have been listening to this album all day and trust me, this will not fail you.

________

I can be described by the Tagalog phrase mababaw ang kaligayahan. I don’t usually buy clothes, gadgets, food, and throw a party at an exclusive club (bitch please) whenever I get my pay check. It always go to books and records. And beer. And coffee. Or a good book over a cup of coffee/bottle of beer with a good music on the background.

I believe that books and music are terapheutic and they will teach you even after you finish school. The good things about reading books and listening to good music have  been repeatedly written and preached in the past. And I won’t dig any further.

Yeah, money can’t buy you happiness. But it can help you own great books and good music which is almost the same, right? Invest on it. And make it a habit.

So the next time you ask me what gift do I want for any (special) occasion, here, you already have a clue.

Nah, I’m just kidding.

But you can take it seriously.

Vaya con Dios!

Mga Librong Paparating na Hindi ninyo Dapat Palampasin

Sa darating na Sabado, ika-10 ng Setyembre, ay gaganapin ang kauna-unahang WIT: Visprint’s First Annual Reader’s Day. Anong ibig sabihin noon? Ewan. Pero sabi sa kanilang Facebook event ay magkakaroon sila ng exhibit ng mga obra ng kanilang mga artists, behind-the-scene revelations mula sa mga may akda, pa-seminar tungkol sa pagsusulat ng libro, pasilip sa mga iba pang aabangan nating mga libro na makakapagpaubos ng mga inipon nating allowance at savings, at as usual katulad ng iba pang event, at marami pang ibang sorpresa.

At balita ko nga, kung hindi ako nagkakamali, doon ipapasilip ang ika-siyam na libro ni Bob Ong. Nakasali ka ba sa kanyang pakulo sa Facebook at Google+ nitong mga nagdaang linggo?

Kilala natin ang Visprint dahil sa pagbibigay sa atin ng mga libro ng ating mga idolo na sina Bob Ong at Eros Atalia, ng ubod ng asteeg na Kikomachine Komix ni Manix Abrera, ang anthology tungkol sa Eraserheads na Tikman ang Langit, at marami pang iba.

Lubos akong nagagalak dahil sa pamamagitan ng mga ganitong klaseng pagtitipon, muling nabubuhay ang hilig ng bagong henerasyon sa pagbabasa ng libro.

Pero bukod sa mga libro sa roster ng Visprint, na inaamin kong totoong nakakaubos ng aking ipon, mayroon pang ibang mga libro akong inaabangan bago magtapos ang taon na tiyak na ibabawas ko sa aking Christmas budget.

At narito sila, hayaan mong magbigay ako ng ilang kuwento tungkol sa kanila.

[caption id="attachment_292" align="alignnone" width="500" caption="Anong sinabi ng Philippine Volcanoes at Azkals sa katawan ni Tado?"][/caption]

• LIBRO NI TADO- Wala pang eksaktong pamagat pero hitsura pa lang, alam mong nakamamatay na ang ka-astigan. Matagal na akong fan ni Tado. Tagapakinig ako ng show nila ni Ramon Bautista at Angel Rivero na Brewrats simula pa lang noong day 1 nila sa radyo.

Noong mawala sila sa ere, inaamin kong na-miss ko si ang kanilang trio, especially si Tado lalo na ang kanyang bobonic English at ang mga malaman na banat. Kaya nang bumisita ako sa kanilang Facebook page (The Brewrats Republic), walang pagsidlan ang aking naging kaligayahan nang makita ko na magkakaroon ng libro si Tado mula sa PSICOM publishing.

Hinihintay ko ang pagkakataong muli kong makakakuwentuhan si Arvin Jimenez sa bawat pahina ng kanyang libro.

[caption id="attachment_293" align="alignnone" width="400" caption="It's like Harper Lee's 'To Kill a Mocking Bird' - but it's an Angry Bird."][/caption]

• TO KILL AN ANGRY BIRD (ARNEL AQUITANIA) - Kung matagal na kayong nagbabasa ng aking blog, malamang ay nabasa niyo na yung naging book review ko noong isang taon tungkol sa librong Angels and Jejemons ni Arnel Aquitania, isang aklat tungkol sa Pinoy Pop Culture.

Katulad ng nasa teaser photo, tungkol din ito sa Pinoy Pop Culture ngunit mas malawak ang magiging saklaw at mas wasak ang humor - daw.

Lubos ang paghanga at pasasalamat ko sa PSICOM Publishing sa pagbibigay ng oportunidad sa ibang mga Pilipinong manunulat upang ang kanilang mga obra ay mabasa.

[caption id="attachment_294" align="alignnone" width="500" caption="Sa wakas Ricky Lee! Sa wakas!"][/caption]

• ASWANG (RICKY LEE) - Kung kayo ay nakapagbasa noong makapunit-lacrimal gland na nobela ni Ricky Lee na Para Kay B, nandoon sa likod na bahagi ang patikim tungkol sa kanyang susunod na nobela - angAswang, isang political satire tungkol sa isang baklang impersonator na nagiging manananggal.

Makailang ulit ko nang natapos basahin ang Para Kay B sa sobrang inip sa paglabas ng ikalawang nobela ng premyadong manunulat na si Ricky Lee. Huwag nang mangamaba. Sa darating na ika-27 ng Nobyembre, sa Skydome, SM City North EDSA, ilalabas ang Aswang.

Handa ka na bang makipag-wrestling kay Amapola? Para sa iba pang detalye tungkol sa librong ito, mangyari lamang na “i-like” ang pahinang ito sa Facebook,

______

Marami sa atin ang nahuhumaling sa pagbabasa ng libro ng mga banyaga tungkol sa mga wizard at witches, vampires, pakikipagsapalaran, giyera, kasaysayan, pag-ibig, at iba pa. Mabuti naman kung sa ganoon. Pero huwag sana nating isantabi at balewalain ang libro ng ating mga kababayan.

Kahit pa ang mga ito, ika nga ni kumpareng Soriano, ay nakasulat sa language of the streets and not of the learned.

Hindi ako sociologist at dalubhasa pero sa tingin ko, makakatulong sa pagkakaroon ng identity nating mga Noypi ang pagbabasa ng libro na nakasulat sa sarili nating wika, at sa mas mahaba pang patutunguhan, magiging susi ito sa ating kaunlaran.

Inaanyayahan kita ngayon na bumili at magbasa ng mga libro ng ating mga kababayan (Pare, wala kang mada-download na eBook ng mga yan). Suportahan natin ang lahat ng mga Pilipinong may hawak ng panulat!

Handa ka na bang magbasa?