Pick of The Week: Make You Move

This one's a pretty long story, so bear with me, dear readers.

Last month, I used to workout during mornings instead of my usual after work schedule. During this stint, I kept hearing this song that they play at the gym. The chorus is sung by a peculiar voice, bordering Cee-Lo Green peculiarity, and you can't identify properly if the singer is a man or a woman, but one thing for sure is that the singer is black. After first listening, the song (or at least the chorus) kept playing on my head and the annoying thing was that I can't quite make out the lyrics to warrant a successful Google search.

It also made sense to ask the receptionist, but apparently they don't know the song's title either nor can they burn me a copy of their CD as that is against their policies. So I did a turn for the peculiar and strained my ear to the speakers everytime (or every morning) that the song plays, catching as much (garbled, blame the gym's speakers) lyrics. All I know was that the last chorus lines are unintelligible words repeated again and again and again. Unfortunately, the verses are rapped, so good luck catching that, and the chorus is pretty much out of the question. And the worse thing was that I keep hearing this song for like weeks, catching me off guard when I think I have pretty much moved on not need the song in my track list anymore.

My Google searches have only gone extremely peculiar: reviewing the entire catalogs of Flo Rida (yes, the first rap verse sounded, albeit remotely, like Flo Rida), Cee-lo Green and Gnarles Barkley (just because the chorus did sound similar to Cee-lo), and Cobra Starship (because the second rap verse is incredibly techno cool like Cobra Starship). All of which ended in futility.

So last Saturday, I managed to catch it again and this time I really strained to catch the song, and get some parts of the lyrics. I was lucky they were blasting the speakers and I managed to catch the last part of the 2nd verse "Wait up, she's got my full attention with the way that she's working it, working it, working it, working it." So I ran those at Google and got 4 possible search results. The first three were weird songs that came from late 90s, but the fourth one has "make you move (16X)" as the last part of the chorus, so I looked it up on youtube, all the artists on the credits seem pretty unfamiliar to me, but voila, it's my song! Make You Move by Dr. Hollywood Ft. Martha Wash.

But before we head to the song, let's get to see the artists behind it.

Dr. Hollywood is a pair of rappers from Beverly Hills, made up of Lex Larson and Louie Rubio. One of their more popular songs, "Lakers Run L.A." amassed 3 million downloads, all without a record deal. The featured singer, Martha Wash, is part of the duo Weather Girls, you know the pair that originally sang It's Raining Men. 

Martha Wash is known for her extensive range and distinct vocals. It's difficult to tell though whether she's a man or a woman based solely on her voice. But her voice is a pleasure to listen to, nonetheless.

So without further ado, here's this week's Pick of the Week: Make You Move by Dr. Hollywood feat. Martha Wash. Enjoy.

Side note: You can apparently download Make You Move for free, instructions on the youtube link, from Dr. Hollywood's website.

Return of Pick of the Week

Once upon a time, I post songs I find cool every week. Well, I kind of took a break from alternative music, mainly because I thought it didn't match with the summer weather. I know that sounds crazy / lame / both, but important thing is I got back and well, here's what I found this morning after listening to my favorite radio station (JAM 88.3). The song is called "Beer" by Psycho Stick.

I posted the unofficial video. And yes the song is amusing and extremely hilarious. I don't get why they are so angry in love with beer, but hey it worked. Check it out by hitting play. Enjoy.

And oh yeah, pick of the week might not exactly go weekly as I did before, but hey, it's back. Will be posting new ones from time to time.

Something Personal

I don't hate you. If I hate you, that means I actually think of you. I don't think of you. You said we're done, then we're done. Live with it.

Some three years ago I met someone and those were the very words that closed our relationship. While I am a very extrovert person (normally), a lot of my friends don't know plenty of details in my life. Like those words I am sharing now. Each time I inspect my old SIM card, I see that message and I feel humiliated 100 times over and I had the unfortunate incident of actually inspecting that SIM card awhile ago. I don't know why I even keep it. Probably because it was one of the happiest realtionships I've ever had. Probably because the words were so well-written, conveying just enough hate without actual admission, it merits keeping. Probably because of all my pleasant attributes, it is my naivete that makes most of my decisions. Or maybe because I am too lazy.

It still pinches me bad, those words. I probably deserve them. I probably don't. And now that I documented them, I can throw the SIM card away, and I actually did. For all that it's worth, that relationship taught me a lot. But lessons are only good as they are in practice, and if there's anything I am taking from all that has happened, it definitely is not the lesson I learned. It is most likely coping up. For life is not promising to be satisfying through its full length, coping up is our only chance of survival--or enjoyment. Life is fun, but sometimes it is otherwise and for all the otherwises happening in your life, we can always rely on chocolates, friends, alcohol, and therapists to manage.

So cheers to those who are coping up and are on their way back to healthy happiness.

I don't think I would ever forget your face. In fact, I don't think I plan to. Haha! When will I see you again? Please say soon. xoxo

In Review: Friends with Benefits

Friends with Benefits, Will Gluck, 2011

The Gist

Filled to the brim with hilarious pop culture references, humorous dialogues, a little helping of romance here and there, and a great chemistry between Kunis and Timberlake, Friends with Benefits is an endearing rom-com that won't miss any chance to make you laugh. Falling in love with it is, however, an option.

The Good

• really great chemistry between Kunis and Timberlake
• humorous exchange of dialogues with proper pop culture references
• character development is well done, not a flat rom-com as it discusses things other than love

The Bad

• may feel a typical rom-com at times

Synopsis

Dan Harper (Timberlake) is employed as an Art Director of an L.A.-based blog that hits over 6 million views per month. Head hunter Jamie (Mila Kunis), reeling from a breakup, is overjoyed when she finally convinces Dan Harper to try out an interview as an Art Director for GQ Magazine, based in New York. Dan apparently wants to escape L.A. due to a recent breakup and while he feels that New York is not where he belongs, he thinks he might as well give it chance--partly thanks to Jamie's charming personality and persistence. As he settles himself down in New York, his friendship with Jamie grows into something that comes with benefits. They then both learn the hard way that sex and friendship are things that get sticky when mixed.

No Complications

What is so fun about this movie? It is unpretentious and simple. It's a rom-com that talks about sex and you get what is promised. There's also good character development to back up the good dialogues and some background plots that the movie don't take much time to focus on, but make the movie more fleshed out.

Hook Me Up

It's unanimous that Timberlake's and Kunis's chemistry are perfect and that without them, the movie would have been an absolute snooze fest. There is something magical about how easily they connect on-screen and how pleasant they look together. This also helped their acting, which I can only describe as spot-on.

The movie is really actually shallow and feel good, not much depth and can actually feel like a spent rom-com, especially with the cliche advise-realization of never letting go of that someone you want just because you are afraid. Yes, we heard that in every rom-com (like for instance Crazy Stupid Love), and while it is generally true, you'd wish sometimes that they come up with something better. But of course, this didn't stop the movie from being enjoyable. Actually, you will forgive it in the end for using the cliche as the execution of everything that follows and preceded it are very stylish and well-thought of.

Apparently, the director of FWB is the same director of one of my 2010 favorites: Easy A, so now I can't help but compare the two. Emma Stone has a cameo in the movie and Patricia Clarkson assumes the role of a messed up mother on this one as she did on Easy A. Another thing in common with Easy A and FWB is the extensive use of background plots that don't really add much to the main plot, but helps well in developing the characters' background story. Also, in both movies, there is an adorable kid throwing funny lines. And while Easy A is better in every way, it can't also be denied that FWB shines in its own right by being unpretentious and well-thought of. By admitting to itself that it is a rom-com made to make people laugh and believe in love, and commits to that admission, FWB is able to deliver a good movie.

Would it be worth your penny? Probably if you need a laugh. Kunis and Timberlake also bare plenty of skin in this movie and I mean plenty. So if you actually are curious, then it might be something you would want to pay for and see. With this movie, falling in love with it is not promised, but laughing is guaranteed.

My verdict:

A passing and recommended mark of 4/5.

In Review: No Other Woman

No Other Woman, Ruel S. Bayani, 2011

The Gist

An eat your heart out bitch-out fest powered by great performances from Anne Curtis, Cristine Reyes, and Carmi Martin, No Other Woman is a brave take on the subject of infidelity; All at once witty, comic, and powerful, it begs to have the audience asking why it ended with a fizzle instead of a bang that it deserved.

The Good

• great acting and chemistry between the characters
• the script is brilliant, most likely to spawn facebook and twitter status
• a heavy drama that does not go dragging until the end
• set design and costume is proper

The Bad

• very traditional Filipino and dragging ending

Synopsis

Ram Escaler (Ramsey) is a married furniture dealer not above using his good looks and charm to sell expensive furniture to a mostly female clientele. A faithful husband, Ram has since foregone his promiscuous ways and has been faithful to his wife, Charmaine (Cristine Reyes). Luck smiled at his fortune when a client came to his shop to add him to the shortlist of bidders for supplying furniture to a luxury beach resort. Along the way, Ram meets with the Zalderiaga heiress, Kara (Anne Curtis), who helped him secure the deal all the while seducing her way to his heart.

Primetime

In a nutshell, No Other Woman is very soap operatic. In case you've seen those soap operas from the 90s where they fire one verbal missile after another, it's gonna feel like that, though to a good effect. It's a bitchfest where the words have fangs and nails that sink to the skin; and given you are in a safe distance, it is very fun to watch. Kudos to the wonderful dialogues and perfect delivery. The execution of each wonderfully written line gives meat to the whole worn-out skeletal plot of infidelity, and sometimes provides a good comic relief, too.

Not with a Bang, but with a Fizzle

I have bemoaned the way the movie ended long before I even started typing words into this review, so I might as well get this out of the way as soon as possible. The ending is just bad. This is why: the start of the movie is mellow, progressing slowly to a bang, then another bang, then another bang, then the director decides he had enough and ends it with a slow and dragging fizzle that wants to discredit the prior scenes. There was no heavy consequences to face for the characters to end. It felt kind of too redemptive, kind of formulaic and feel-good, felt like a foreign body to a good film. They could've simply ended it at the confrontation scene and made a short scene that discusses the consequences each character now face, but no, the director decided to expand it some more which made for a dragging ending. For me it ended on the last confrontation scene between Charmaine and Kara. That scene is such a climax, everything else after it grew bland.

Anyway, that was how much I despise the ending. Everything else is perfetto. Anne Curtis gave the performance of her life in this one, playing an heiress hell-bound on getting what she wants and ending up a lovely trainwreck. Cristine Reyes who plays a demure housewife also did very well with this one, though not as fine and experienced as Anne. Carmi Martin's portrayal as Cristine's nouveau rich mother delivers one of the most memorable lines in the movie: "I-packup mo na yang Lucy Torres mo, ilabas mo ang Gretchen Barretto mo; ako na'ng bahala sa red stilettos mo." The moviehouse went howling at that. Derek Ramsey didn't do half-bad either, but the women owned this one. Completely.

I would also like to commend the costume design, even if just for Anne Curtis' wardrobe. She did feel like a New Yorker, though with the kind of climate we have here, and yes at the beach, too, it's kind of odd to actually be wearing those. The wardrobe made her look more assertive and bitchy and Westernized, just the kind of girl who'd play mistress and deny that fact to herself.

As I've also noted earlier, the script! Such a thing to be a classic soon. The lines are bound to make it to facebook and twitter shamelessly. The delivery also meant those lines weren't wasted and such a chemistry  hero-villain was made apparent thanks to those lines.

So did it feel like a two-hour seater? Not really. Save for the ending which felt dragging (whose only redemption were Kara's hospital scenes where she is shown completely debased and powerless). As usual with Star-VIVA films, they are edgy but still has that tiny little error which is brought about by Star Cinema's need to be formulaic, commercial, and family-values concerned. The good thing about it is that 3/4 of the movie is so good, you wouldn't mind the dragging ending. It could've been better, then again, it could've been worse. So now, I need to write down my rating.

My verdict:

A passing and recommended mark of 4/5.

In case I haven't spoiled everything for you, here is the trailer for No Other Woman.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WF-PUiKSn54

In Review: Fright Night (2011)

Fright Night (2011), Craig Gillespie

The Gist

An action-dark-comedy movie with some thriller and suspense elements along the way does not make a horror movie scary, but whatever, this movie contains an amazing performance from Colin Farrell that more than makes up for the lack of the much expected spook.

The Good

• good acting, particularly from Farrell
• great effects
• has some comic moments in it that makes it more appealing to non-horror movie fans

The Bad

• not scary enough
• does not deviate much from the 1985 film in terms of resolution

Synopsis

Charlie Brewster (Anton Yelchin) is having the time of his high school life. He's with the prettiest girl in school and has since forsaken his nerdy ways and friend, Evil Ed Lee (Christopher Mintz-Plasse). However, things change when a new guy named Jerry (Colin Farrell) moves into their neighborhood and the disappearance of his classmates (and soon even Evil Ed) soon becomes too apparent to ignore. Upon Evil Ed's goading and help, Charlie soon finds out that Jerry is a vampire who is out to eat his mom and the whole neighborhood and that with him as the next target, it might be too little too late to take matters into his own hands.

Scary Movie

What went wrong? I really don't know. I don't expect myself to get frightened when I watch scary movies, but this one just didn't give me any. I wanna be like at the edge of my seat frightened the way I was with Insidious, but that didn't happen. There was not much scare after scare after scare affair. And it probably is also for the good. Else it would have been something less of a veritable and credible film. Then again, a credible film does not have a douchy resolution. Also, probably because I've been watching too many True Blood that vampires like this one on the movie does not call to mind much need to be scared. I'm used to them in TV and also, the possible lack of gore on this one did not help either. The scariness did feel like a 1985 affair and so as the ending that I can't help but feel that I did watch the 1985 version (although they differ in a lot of ways).

Turn off the Lights

Not much notable acting going on besides Farrell and David Tennant. But mind you, Farrell owns this one. He was so detestable in the movie, just like how most of the vampires are in True Blood. I mean, why can't you just die, dude, you've been staked by a mile post. And each time he gets back up, you just know trouble is gonna happen and you can't help but root for Yelchin and hi girlfriend. And that's the role of the villain, to be hated and make you root for the heroes, who are thankfully not hate-able (cause some heroes in movies are just begging to be hated).

David Tennant on the other hand lends some comic relief and "character that badly needs redemption" feel to the movie and he did those roles very well. At some point you will be annoyed at him and at some point you will wish him well even if you know he's a total douche.

Pacing was a bit fast and you won't know an hour and 40 has elapsed when the credits start rolling. The effects are also very well done and lends a proper feel for the movie. Character development is also well done, which helped make rooting for Yelchin easy. The script is fine but not as noteworthy as you would like. But still none of these can hide the fact that this is a horror movie without much horror and with that, how easily forgettable it is. It is not a bad movie, just one you won't remember for long.

My verdict:

A passing mark of 3.5/5.

In Review: Horrible Bosses

Horrible Bosses, Seth Gordon, 2011

The Gist

Darkly humorous and well-cast, Horrible Bosses does not stray far from the humor and feel of the original Hangover. The dangers of feeling borrowed from other comedy films are easily remedied by the great acting of the cast and the great chemistry between the main characters.

The Good

• good acting from Spacey and Aniston
• smart script with a great cast and great chemistry
• feels quite original in its own right

The Bad

• feels to have borrowed from other comedies
• the ending felt so Deus Ex Machina, cliched

Synopsis

Nick Hendricks (Bateman) works with a psychotic boss (Spacey) who tricked him to doing things for a promotion he never intend to give. Dale Arbus (Day) who dreams of nothing but to be a husband to his fiancee, works  as a dental assistant to a sexually offending boss (Aniston) who manipulates him to allow her sexual advances until his marriage. Kurt Buckman (Sudeikis) was better off compared to his two friends and works as an account manager for a chemical company with a loving boss who has a cokehead son. Trouble is, his boss just died and his son now runs the company as he would an ATM machine. Dissatisfied with their bosses, the three conspires a plan to rid each other of their bosses permanently. The realization that they don't exactly know how to kill someone sparks a series of events that lead them to one disaster after another.

Hangover from Hangover

I was only so surprised to find out that the movie was not directed by Todd Philips, director of The Hangover. At the end of the movie, I was like, man that feels so much like The Hangover. Perhaps, I'll blame it on the great chemistry between Bateman, Sudeikis, and Day. The premise is completely different from The Hangover though. Here, they intend to kill their bosses, while The Hangover is merely about bachelors having fun. However, both movies have those plans ending up going awry and one thing leads to another before a very simple solution was there anyway. Comparisons aside, I can't complain much about the premise or the plot of Horrible Bosses. It's definitely funnier than Crazy, Stupid, Love, and definitely crazier and stupider.

Quick, Fast, Dirty

I don't really love Jennifer Aniston, but my goodness, she was so good in this film. I'm actually raving mad for her performance. Also, Spacey. Man, you will just hate him for being the psycho that he is in that film. Farrell was a bit on the uh huh side of town and pales compared to Spacey and Aniston, but I blame it on his screen time, it was pretty short compared to everyone else. As mentioned above, the chemistry between Sudeikis, Day, and Bateman is great. Jamie Foxx also did fantastic here and his character is one of the movie's surprising comic reliefs outside the three musketeers. That said, everyone's acting was in check and the script is witty with compliments of course to the execution.

The narrative is typical, nothing fancy. Has a narrator to begin and a narrator to end it. And speaking of endings, man, I hated the ending, albeit not completely. It was typical and kind of cliched and kind of made it fizzled, but good thing, a greater part of the ending was good, the resolution was just so-so. And also, as far as pacing is concerned, the film was actually quick in telling its story. It wouldn't really feel like a 2-hour film once the credits start rolling and you wouldn't feel that you've wasted your time watching washed up jokes. Couldn't remark anything special about the cinematography.

Apart from the typical formula for being a comedy: exaggeration, crude jokes, a stupid character who messes up everything, I also am not satisfied with how they portrayed women. In the movie, women were portrayed to be either clueless or horny or clueless and horny. So if you're dating a feminist, not a very good date movie this one. Nevertheless, it's a movie to destroy a date nor one to merit getting one into your bed.

My verdict:

A passing and recommended mark of 4/5.