Movie Review: The Last Airbender

"For a film that featured a boy bending Earth, Air, Water and Fire, “The Last Airbender” ends up bending movie elements - the WRONG way.”

“I slept while watching the movie” a colleague of mine remarked.

“Why?” I asked.

“Because of too much dance routines!”

Oh yes - the “dance routines”. My colleague was referring to the lengthy head, body and torso movements a gifted person makes just to be able to control the elements of Earth, Air, Water and Fire in the movie.

Too bad that’s not the only reason to fall asleep.

Plot Mess

Adapted from the American animated tv series, “Avatar: The Last Airbender”, the movie had the makings of a good-to-watch summer hit based on its anticipation from its trailers and initial feedback.

But scenes usually begin with a subtitle explaining where it takes place, and after awhile would shift to another place, then zipping back to another, then crossing over back to an earlier scene for some moments and then…

Well, you get the idea. Director M. Night Shyamalan (The Sixth Sense) tries to make the film look epic in scope by introducing so many locations yet as the pace moves so does confusion on the storylines.

Another “Slumdog” performance from Dev Patel this ain’t.

Dev Patel is the likely familiar actor here best known for his role in “Slumdog Millionaire”, but a bad script limited his abilities this time around. Noah Ringer, who plays child protagonist Aang, will be best remembered for his moves on controlling the elements and little else. And let’s not even go to the romantic angle between the other two major characters. The dialogue is laughable in some parts, which wasn’t even intended as a sense of humor attempt in the first place.

Special effects saved the film

Credit Industrial Light and Magic for saving this film from being a complete letdown, as the special effects were the most exciting parts amidst the camera work of M. Night which gives you the visual interface impression of watching an interactive website where a certain area being focused on gives a particular action or event centered on Aang showcasing his powers against their foes.

In summary, this is a failed fantasy adventure with a danger of being made into a trilogy.

“Dance routines” for two more movies like this?

Think I’ll fall asleep as well.


FILM RATING: 2 stars (out of 5)

Nice

Watched a good NBA game won by the Suns over the Spurs. This week I am in vacation, relaxed mode. I want to take a break from thinking about things and instead continued sorting out folders and documents which officially started yesterday.
During lunch break I went out to buy some groceries in the corner store and bought lutong bahay food to last two days.

Noticed during my sorting out files that there are a lot of Goals related to band music, filmmaking that was planned as early as 1998, buying my own home, creative writing goals on winning an award, travel goals and improving as a web designer.
Tonight am planning to watch 500 Days of Summer.

Back to my money goals

Today was the second time that I read carefully Robert Allen's book "Multiple Streams of Income" as I target to put up at least one new stream of income for 2010.
So now I have to make a decision soon, out of the 10 potential streams that Allen has outlined.

Last night I took the chance and watched Twilight New Moon and it really sucked. Story went to a crawl.

Next comes along

After all the focus on preparing my departure for a new life in Canada, I almost forgot writing in my blog.

I just had a moment awhile ago while I was processing my finances. The bank's teller whose name is Karen was a charming girl.

I guess it's because I had a warm aura within me that she felt that I was comfortable enough to talk to, to the point that I said in jest that she could come to the despedida. I then asked for her name and kulang na lang pati number kunin ko.

But I know I need to focus on Canada. And that's the place where I will let it all hang out.

Now here

Am now in Canada. :)

Here are the details in bullet points:

Arrived last February 6 at Vancouver.

Applied for SIN number last February 8.

Arrived last February 9 in Calgary.

February 10 - was bought grooming essentials and peppermint oil softgels.

February 11 - ordered peppermint, ginger and fennel oil softgels and the Audio CD set at Amazon.
- opened an account at the local bank.
- first tour on downtown Calgary.

February 12 - got me some supplements - Digestive Enzymes, Stress Flex and Acidophilus (though may lactose. next time will read the labels carefully)
- sent to Philippines mga payables

The new life

Have landed safely in Canada though everything is still a blur. I had planned on writing my thoughts about my leaving Pinas but lacked the time. Still I wanted to drop by and write some even though time is still not a luxury due to the urgent requirements as a new settler (getting a new Social ID number, getting a new Driver's License, getting a new Health Card etc.)

Thus, here are my 3 initial thoughts about Canada:

1. Snow-capped mountains.

Minutes before landing at the Vancouver International Airport, the very first thing which reminded me that I have finally reached Canada were seeing snow-capped mountains that loomed into view from the airplane windows.

2. Wala nang paborito kong Shakey's

Instead of seeing the familiar stuff that I have gotten used to in 'Pinas such as "Milo", "Glade" and "Shakey's Pizza", instead it has now been replaced with "Chocolat Chaud", "Febreze" and "Panago" (pronounced Pana-goe and not Pana-goh. Ano daw? haha!)

3. Define "MALAMIG"

For years I was told how cold Canada could get during winter time. And yes, for years I have conditioned myself for such a scenario... but like they said, nothing could ever prepare you for the friggin' real thing!

Funny thing was, the moment I got out of the airport and the natural cool breeze of Canada entered through my defenseless Philippine-made jacket, I did feel the special coldness, but I found it bodacious and smiled instead of complaining. Feels like Baguio times twenty, but personally it's fine with me.

*

Guess that's all for now. haven't slept yet since being tortured by this iyakin na 2-year old seatmate sa plane during the 14-hour non-stop trip. (READ: NON-STOP IYAK) Gotta catch some sleep. U guys rule.

Until the next cdn adventure to share.

Strange Dream

I slept last night around 3AM after much drinking and merry-making from the New Year celebration and didn't know if I would be dreaming or not.

Suddenly I dreamt that I was spending the evening with former officemates from Anxa.

Just a simple bonding moment to watch a movie. I was with Allen, Armi and Isabel and then we were waiting for some other Anxa people. (Darwin, Jennifer and Chloe).

When they finally arrived, it was then when we decided to watch at the IMAX theater.

It was one of those vivid dreams.