Imagine.

Monday, July 31, 2006

Define Normal

by Julie Ann Peters

As you can see, define aware can easily be connected to define normal, that is because the address of this media blog of mine was patterned after the title of this book.

When I read this book back in first year, I found it difficult to put down. I was so engrossed in the story that I wanted to finish it in one sitting, but there were really times when I had to sleep, so the book had to stay on my bedside table and out of my hands.

What is the definition of normal exactly? Well, according to Webster's College Dictionary, normal is conforming to the standard or the common type; usual; regular; natural; serving to fix a standard; approximately average in any psychological trait, as intelligence, personality, or emotional adjustment; or free from any mental disorder, sane. The thing is, and this is very evident today, most people take so literally these definitions of normal. They do not anymore take into consideration if the act is right or wrong. To most people, it is as simple as if the majority do it, then it must be normal. Does this mean that if three quarters of the world kills, commits murder and suicide, these three immoral acts become normal? The answer, dear friends, is no.

That is why I liked this book so much. It cleared out that similarity and frequency are not the bases for normality, and that there are unusual things that other people consider normal. Sometimes a negligent punk rebel can be more normal than a studious goody-two shoes.

I have always believed that what is normal varies from person to person, just like opinions. After reading this book, I believed in my stand even more and came to appreciate the silly little things I find strange because they just might be normal for other people.

Sukob

Filipinos are very superstitious people. We count through our stairs before they are made (oro, plata, mata), we make sure our beds face the right direction, and we make sure everyone has finished eating before leaving the dinner table. Along with the ones I mentioned come a great lot of superstitions.

The title of the film says a lot about the plot and its bases. I really did not want to watch Sukob because the littlest things make my imagination busy and I easily get scared. I ended up doing so, with regret after the film ended. One reason is because I got scared. Although I only, literally, saw twenty minutes of the film altogether, the sounds and my peripheral view of the big screen was enough to freak me out. Another reason is because I hated Kris Aquino and her acting, and find it extremely unlikely that she won an award for her acting in Feng Shui, which I have not seen, though. In this movie about a wedding curse, for every line, every emotion, every scene, her face did not change. It was always sad, confused and her forehead was always wrinkled when she was happy, sad, scared, angry, confused or blank. Same way her ad, The many faces of Kris Aquino, for this makeup line, turned out. I know I have regrets about seeing the film, but I applaud just one part of the film, and that is, the both kinds of sukob were shown.

I definitely agree with those people who said that Claudine Barretto carried the film. No offence to those who like Kris Aquino, but I stand firm when I say she should stick to her game shows.

Photo taken from: http://www.imdb.com

National Treasure

Trailers that leave me in wonder usually give way for me to watch the real movie. When I saw the trailer of National Treasure, I wanted to see what it had in store for its viewers.

The last time Nicholas Cage had a movie I could not get enough of was back in 1997 when Face Off was shot. Just like Face Off, this movie is one of the movies I could watch over and over, and again, over for the rest of my life. That is because I am amazed by the techniques and gimmicks Ben Gates, Riley Poole and Abigail Chase used to find the treasure. Also, it leaves me wondering every time if that big amount of treasure could have, at one point in history, lain beneath Trinity Church. In the movie, it also showed that technology has been progressing very quickly.

Most antagonists in movies these days usually have the same, or if not, greater mental capabilities as the protagonists. However, in this movie, the lead antagonist, Sean Bean who plays Ian Howe was at times, to me, slow. Although in times when he was at a dead end, he knew where to start, and I guess that is good enough compensation for some scenes where I found him a bit slow.

I also love the fact that the movie had great balance between humor, suspense and seriousness. The movie also shows the two ways of doing things. You can try things with violence, just like Ian Howe did, or with our own brain, just like Ben Gates did with his.

You do not need to read through ten thousand American history books before watching the movie because you can easily understand it. It is a fun movie, and if you have not seen it yet, I strongly recommend that you do.

Tuesday, July 18, 2006

A Different Spectrum

Photo Critique (By Susan Welchman, Illustrations Editor)

Their eyelashes, hair, and lips match. This image is unique in a lot of ways. The photographer wasn't looking through the camera but holding it above her. And the sisters aren't exactly profiled. There's a beautiful negative space between them, a dark space that illuminates their profile. There's also a piece of blue shirt from one sister and none from the other, so the photo is not a mirror image. A slight magic comes into a picture when you're not planning it. The photographer can't even see through the camera, so the framing is a lucky one. And the beauty of that hair—the one curl, the dip in the middle like clouds, not combed or arranged but incredibly intertwined—makes it almost look like one head of hair. Albinism is not something you would choose in life, but it doesn't seem to be a handicap for these girls. They're very beautiful, and they have each other for life. There are just so many elements of beauty in this picture.

I have always loved photos, and shooting them as well. A lot of book covers, magazines, ads and billboards made me stop and do a double-take because they feature really nice photos. I was going through National Geographic: Your Shot Top Choices on the net since I wanted to submit some of the photos I took. Instead of being able to submit one of mine, I became preoccupied with looking at this one and other photos that were submitted.

I admired the photographer for taking the photo since I loved it so much. It reminded me of the closeness my sister and I have. To add to that, it also has details that I find so nice. The twirl of hair looks so magical, as if it was fresh out of a fairy tale. The lighting looks like it was morning and the Albino sisters had just woken up when they took the photo. They look very happy and here we see Albinism as something beautiful. Both sisters are legally blind because of their albinism, and yet this photo, taken by Anna Reid, 19, turned out really nicely.

Photos really do make me smile. They always amaze me and they always make me wonder what was happening when they took the photo, who was behind the camera and why was that photo shot in the first place.

Photo taken from: National Geographic

Friday, July 14, 2006

The Da Vinci Code

Tell the high priests, spread the word, and make a big deal out of it, but I would still say that I really liked, if not loved, this impressive, according to my own judgments, but just the same, controversial film. I know that the film was rated beyond my age, but it just so happened that I was in the United States at the time it was being shown, I had my parents with me, and I am clearly older than thirteen. It was based on Dan Brown's book of the same title, and just when it was written, it became the talk of the town, caused great debates, and, for sure, raised a lot of questions from the pious.

The plot revolves around a mystery well-protected by a secret society and the unravelling of those who were part of and the discovery of the society and its secret. Although I was not able to read the book personally, I got to hear parts of the story from my mom, and then on, I formed my own cast in my head, just in case, I thought, they make the book a movie. George Clooney was my Robert Langdon, although, sometimes he seemed too good-looking to play the part, while the rest of the characters were just represented by a blurred silhouette. Now, after seeing the movie, seeing Robert Langdon played by Tom Hanks, I find it quite hard to imagine how George Clooney would have done. I say, the cast was great. Although some would say that the movie was too serious, I thought that the movie was a great mix of every emotion - suspense, mystery, humour in parts, drama, and a bit of a scare from Silas and his practices. When touching a very delicate topic, like faith or religion, taking in jest what is being discussed and joking about the subject, I find, is extremely inappropriate. Hats off for those who worked hard on the film for being able to throw in with a great blend some laughs.

One thing about the movie that I would like to point out is that it made the secret seem so believable. I guess this is why some people reacted so violently towards the film - they were convinced all that was true and hated for their faith to be shaken - even though it is, in fact fiction. I suppose it is really just up to the viewer to decide if he should want to give the film a chance, controversial as it may be. I would like to say, forgive me, if I shocked you with my liking of this film, but I am sure, no movie, song, book, legend - nothing can shake my faith.

Photo taken from http://www.imdb.com

Wednesday, July 12, 2006

Introduzione.

We all exist in a free world, so we have the right to think what we will. Despite how liberated or free the world may be, there are still cases where others tend to go over the fence, cross the boundaries and break into a delicate place that some choose to keep sacred. So is it in the more elaborate world of media.

Yes, it is true that the media sometimes goes overboard, but there are also times when it gives praise and acknowledges achievements made by those we highly regard. Media can be good for us in that it feeds us information, makes us aware of what is happening around us and gives us the pleasure of entertainment in those times when everything else seems to bore us. On the contrary, media could also be detrimental when it slowly eats up your mind and your opinions, and sneakily makes your stand on something weaker and weaker.

Media is good, and media is bad, but when does it feed, and when does it eat? That is what I wish to share. You do not always have to believe what you are told. I will not take it against you if you disagree, so in the same way, please do not take it against me.