Watching Premieres

Dear Me,

I would like to thank dear Ada girl again for being such a wonderful fairy godmother. Because of her, papi and I were able to watch the advance screening of the movies, Music and Lyrics & 300. Enjoying my large tumbler of barbeque popcorn from Tater's and/or my sack of 8 of minute "monays" made the viewing more fun despite the freezing-to-death coldness inside the cinema.

Music and Lyrics, starring Hugh Grant and Drew Barrymore, is a romantic comedy featuring Alex Fletcher as a washed-up '80s pop star who's been reduced to working the nostalgia circuit at county fairs and amusement parks. The charismatic and talented musician gets a chance at a comeback when reigning diva Cora Corman invites him to write and record a duet with her, but there's a problem -- Alex hasn't written a song in years, he's never written lyrics and he has to come up with a hit in a matter of days. Enter Sophie Fisher, Alex's beguilingly quirky plant lady, whose flair for words strikes a chord with the struggling songwriter. On the rebound from a bad relationship, Sophie is reluctant to collaborate with anyone, especially commitment-phobe Alex. As their chemistry heats up at the piano and under it, Alex and Sophie will have to face their fears -- and the music -- if they want to find the love and success they both deserve.

I never liked Hugh even though he starred with my favorite Hollywood stars. I never liked him once. But in this movie, he made me laugh so hard that I almost choked from my popcorn. He looked so brokeback with that 80s hair and attire. What was more amusing was the pop dance that made the audience evoke a guffaw when Hugh started his hip-wriggling dance. Yep. Very 80s indeed.

Drew, the quirky Sophie reminded me of a familiar feeling from way back. She gave me a touch of the good, old times of what it was like to compose something out of words and tuning them to a rhythm. And that no matter how weird they might sound altogether, it was the real meaning and feeling that should count.

I specifically loved these songs from the soundtrack: (1) Pop Goes My Heart, (2) Way Back Into Love and (3) Don't Write Me Off Just Yet


On the other hand,

300 is a graphic novel by Frank Miller retelling the ancient Battle of Thermopylae where King Leonidas and 300 Spartans fought to the death against Xerxes and his massive Persian army. Facing insurmountable odds, their valor and sacrifice inspire all of Greece to unite against their Persian enemy, drawing a line in the sand for democracy.

I dislike watching non-stop gore and violence in a movie. Because 300 was based in history of the olden times (which fascinates me as always), particularly that of glorious Greece, I was trapped. Since high school and till my university days, the history of the world and that of the ancient times had awed me big time.

There were a lot of times I would like to go out to avoid seeing blood splashing out from the bodies of the enemies. There was too much mutilation and sword-slashing of body parts.

But then, words from the mouth of King Leonidas (played by the credible Gerard Butler) uttering my favorite "Spartans! Tonight, we die in hell" line changed my entire perception of the movie. Despite all the bloody mess and the absolute violence, for me it was justified by the content and story of the movie. 300 was a battle scene and a fight for freedom no matter how idealistic seemed glorified. Ooops, thinking about it, a fight for freedom will always be an idealistic endeavor.

Like everybody else, I roared and clapped in admiration for such a very good movie.

PS. I've been meaning to ask this: Is it "we die in hell" or we dine in hell?"