About Love (movie)

I recently catch a movie named About Love just because the synopsis seems interesting enough. There are 3 stories involving two languages: Japanese and Mandarin. Three couples are divided between three stages of the movie: Tokyo, Taipei, Shanghai.

My favorite is the first one. The first half hour is so interesting that I fall in love with the quietness of the movie, the beautiful landscape and the way the movie is made. Simple, nothing outrageous, with quiet soundtracks, little dialogues and lots of silent sweet gestures. Misaki Ito as the painter and Wilson Chen, a Chinese cartoonist living in Tokyo, act exceptionally well.

The second one is the least interesting but the one that gets me laughing the most. A reckless Japanese man helps a woman get over her broken heart, but he doesn't really know how to. They go through a painful conversation - painful because they cannot understand what each other is speaking.

The last one is teary and beautiful. The daughter of the shopkeeper who rents the house to a Japanese teacher falls in love with him. But her love seems unrequited, and he does not even know she loves him until he comes back a year later. Out of every Japanese movie ever made, I think this is the best one. I love it!

A Little Romance (movie)

Starring: Laurence Olivier, Diane Lane, Thelonious Bernard, Sally Kellerman, Arthur Hill

Director: George Roy Hill

Studio: Warner Bros.

Rating: PG

Genre: Comedy / Romance

Release Date: April 27, 1979

Oscar Winner: Won 1 Oscar in 1980

SYNOPSIS:

Amazon.com
Sandwiched between Slap Shot and The World According to Garp, George Roy Hill made this effervescent film about first love. A sharp American girl (Diane Lane, in her debut) and a film-loving Parisian boy (Thelonious Bernard, in his only film) fall innocently in love. When the girl's zealous mother (Sally Kellerman) goes ballistic, the young couple fall under the spell of a curious gentleman (none other than Laurence Olivier), who plants the seed to make their love last forever: to kiss under a Venetian bridge at sunset. As the love story becomes an adventure with the young lovers crossing France and Italy, Allan Burns's Oscar-nominated script and Hill's deft touch turn this into a romance for the ages and a movie to smile about. George Delerue's Oscar-winning score and the picturesque European scenery don't hurt either. --Doug Thomas

Track listing

1.	Main Title (03:13)
2.	Love's Not Like That (01:04)
3.	Paris Montage (02:34)
4.	Julius Edmond Santorin (03:45)
5.	The Young Lovers (01:50)
6.	Off to Italy (02:17)
7.	Birthday Party (02:40)
8.	Outdoor Cafe (02:47)
9.	Moving On (00:28)
10.	A Little Romance (01:31)
11.	The Bicycle Race (04:29)
12.	The Lovers' Decision (01:03)
13.	Venice (01:26)
14.	Hiding in the Movies (02:24)
15.	No Turning Back (01:12)
16.	The Gondola (02:00)
17.	Farewell ... For Now (03:16)
18.	End Title (02:15)

Total Duration: 00:40:14

I first saw the movie when I was fourteen, and no movie had ever charmed me the way this one did. I bought the original DVD via Amazon.com around seven years later, since the title is always stuck in the back of my mind. It is worth every dollar, every minute, every laughter.

The romantic movie brings a smile to my face everytime I make time to watch it. Plain good fun. A story of teenage love has always bowled me over, and the performances of all three main characters are so believable and real. Diane Lane and Thelonius Bernard make a cute couple, although there are moments of stiff chemistry and bad acting, I am still utterly convinced and I love it just the same.

One man who makes this movie even more worth watching is Sir Laurence Olivier, whose character we all adore and sympathize in. He makes the movie more fun and suspenseful on its part, with little twists and romance in the very end.

Watch this movie, buy the DVD. You will never regret it.

Sleigh Ride

Just hear those sleigh bells jingling,

Ring-ting tingling too.

Come on, it's lovely weather for a sleigh ride together with you.

Outside the snow is falling and friends are calling "yoo-hoo!",

Come on, it's lovely weather for a sleigh ride together with you.

Giddy-up, giddy-up, giddy-up, let's go,

Let's look at the show.

We're riding in a wonderland of snow.

Giddy-up, giddy-up, giddy-up, it's grand,

Just holding your hand.

We're riding along with a song of a wintry fairy land.

Our cheeks are nice and rosy and comfy cozy are we,

We're snuggled close together like two birds of a feather would be.

Let's take that road before us and sing a chorus or two.

Come on, it's lovely weather for a sleigh ride together with you.

There's a birthday party at the home of Farmer Gray,

It'll be the perfect ending of a perfect day.

We'll be singing the songs we love to sing without a single stop.

At the fireplace where we'll watch the chestnuts pop. ("pop-pop-pop")

There's a happy feeling nothing in the world can buy,

As they pass around the coffee and the pumpkin pie.

It'll nearly be like a picture print by Currier & Ives.

These wonderful things are the things we remember all through our lives.

Just hear those sleigh bells jingling

Ring-ting tingling too.

Come on, it's lovely weather for a sleigh ride together with you.

Outside the snow is falling and friends are calling "yoo-hoo!",

Come on, it's lovely weather for a sleigh ride together with you.

Giddy-up, giddy-up, giddy-up, let's go,

Let's look at the show.

We're riding in a wonderland of snow.

Giddy-up, giddy-up, giddy-up, it's grand,

Just holding your hand.

We're riding along with a song of a wintry fairy land.

Our cheeks are nice and rosy and comfy cozy are we,

We're snuggled close together like two birds of a feather would be.

Let's take that road before us and sing a chorus or two.

Come on, it's lovely weather for a sleigh ride together with you.

My Christmas song - my favorite ever :) Have a happy Christmas everyone!!!

Pretty in Pink

Udah lama ga nulis ttg fashion inspiration dan reference. Well when I woke up this morning a wonderful movie started screening on HBO. The title is Pretty in Pink. You might've heard of it. It's a classic teen love story made in the 1986 (when I was born, so it's a good 21 years ago), starring the fashionista actress Molly Ringwald and the cute actor Andrew McCarthy.

The story revolves around the life of a 18 years old girl (Andie) whose mom walked out on her and her unemployed father. She lives in this cute little house with an attic room that she is embarrassed to be seen in. Well you see, she's poor. And she makes do by buying secondhands and fixing them with her sewing machine, so they look as gorgeous as ever. Kebanyakan temen2nya di sekolah elite menghina Andie karena kemiskinan dan bajunya yang nyentrik. Her only best friends are Jenna (who died soon after the movie), and Duckie (a boy who has a big crush on her). She falls in love with a 'richie' named Blane, but they have status difference so everyone does not accept their relationship.

Standard story made into such a nice plot with clever conversations and cute girlish drama. I love the movie! At first I don't really feel like watching an oldies movie, but it turns out to be such a pleasure.

Now the fashion things. I gotta say, baju2nya bener2 top banget.. which is also why I keep watching the movie. Andie makes her clothes: T front black tank top topped with ivory crocheted sweater, pointy shoes and big trapeze dresses, big bags and swingy hairs.. I notice Andie wears a lot of hats - these plain big ones with a flower perched on the sides. Or the girls wear baggy dresses in stripy patterns. They look fantastic! Beberapa pakai jaket kegedean yang super trendy dipadukan dengan dalaman mini dress. Juga jaket polos dengan enamel brooch warna-warni. Iona, who plays Andie's best friend, wears a man's cropped jacket with high waisted pants. So cool!

They also wear a lot of leggings and tights, or skinny pants with flowery patterns. They look gorgeous. I wish I have pictures, but I dont have a lot. The attire is so inspiring though, I wish I still lived in the 80s.

Watch the movie if you have a chance. You'll love it.

Hibernating...

I feel like hibernating....
Waiting until forces come back
and I can start writing again

those lively words that make up my fantasy world
I miss them :)

My version of 2007 and 2008

things to look forward to in 2007:

Atonement: the movie and the book

Colorcloud Palace (saiunkoku monogatari) season 1

Amazing Race Asia cycle 2

America's Next Top Model cycle 8

BookMooch

Stephenie Meyer's Twilight books

Kenangan Abu-Abu being published

Joining Fasity.com

Finishing Ai the novel

Collecting Sweet Valley High Senior Year

Coffee Prince

House tv series

Things to look forward to next year:

Twilight the movie

Breaking Dawn the novel

Remember Me the novel

Gossip Girl tv series

Kiss

I don't know what possesses me to write this - a chapter of my new project..

It is one fine autumn day when the strangest thing happens.

I am sitting in one of the swings in the park, not far from my neighborhood, reading a book. It is one of those days when I do not feel like doing my homework, and I am just too lazy to do my daily chores. Instead I slip through the back kitchen door and pretend I am still napping. Mother will never know as long as I do not make noise.

It is almost twilight, but the sunshine is still warm on my face. I rock myself back and forth on the swing, barely concentrating on the words blurring in front of my eyes. Orange leaves flutter down to my hair, my hands, my book, my lap, and I watch them in silence.

Suddenly I feel Daichi’s little whisper. Right then I know that it is not meant for me, but I cannot help penetrating his thoughts and seeing more. His wall of defense crumbles, provoking me to do my part of swimming into his mind. I sit still on my swing and listen closely, opening my mind to a scene.

I close my eyes.

Two figures stand close together, facing each other. The girl’s long hair is softly blown by the breeze, and she is smiling. The boy has one hand on her hand, another resting on her cheek. The sky seems a combination of magenta and purple behind them, tinged with orange and blues. I watch, careful not to make a sound. This kind of thing has never happened to me before, unlike the usual telepathy whispers and mind reading. This is new.

Slowly but quickly, the boy leans forward.

I feel nearly unconscious, feeling the mix of emotions that probably belongs to the boy, a shadow I cannot see clearly but know who he is. I can sense his heartbeat, his nervous smile, and his love. As for the girl, she is a big blur of happiness that I cannot help noticing.

I do not know how to describe what I am feeling the moment it happens. I simply feel numb, my head tilts slightly as I count to three.

When it is all over, I open my eyes and see Tetsuya in front of me, looking deeply concerned.

“Are you alright?”

I give him a slow nod, unable to stop bewilderment from showing on my face.

“What happened? It looks as if you lost yourself there.”

“I did,” I say breathlessly.

Tetsuya is still watching me intently, but I can only stare back at him, utterly speechless, as the kiss that Daichi and Sumire shared still burning on my lips.

**

Atonement

This movie has my immediate attention the moment I saw the trailer. It has everything I ever want in a movie:

- Keira Knightley
- James McAvoy: I like his performance in Becoming Jane.
- Classic style and interior
- Based on a bestselling book by Ian McEwan
- Great crew: directors of Pride and Prejudice
- Excellent reviews

It began screening in Venice Film Festival, and everywhere in UK last September, and now in Jiffest (which I missed). But why isn't it on DVD in Amazon.com yet? Grrr! I haven't even seen the movie yet, and I've bought the book (haven't read it yet), but the premise of it is so captivating.

I will definitely watch the movie. Call me a freak but I will watch this movie.


No two-hour film could ever capture all the riches of McEwan's masterly novel. But Wright and Hampton's Atonement comes tantalizingly close, while adding sensual delights all its own.
- NewsWeek -

Atonement is everything a true lover of literature and movies could possibly hope for. It is unquestionably, without any reservations, my favorite film of the year.
- New York Observer -

Mood

Saya selalu menunggu mood untuk melakukan segala sesuatu. Mood harus OK kalau mau pake baju baru. Mood harus pas untuk nulis chapter baru. Tergantung mood. Mood yang pilih buku apa yang harus dibaca hari ini, film apa yang enak ditonton malem ini. Mood juga yang pilih baju-baju saya di pagi hari, warna apa yang bagus dipakai.

Heran, wanita banget ya kalau membiarkan mood. Akhir-akhir ini Mama suka ribut, kenapa tas baru gak dipakai? Padahal hampir 2 minggu dibeli (setelah 2 minggu pikir-pikir), dan tas lama udah pada jelek.

Jawaban saya: Belum kepengen.

Mood. Saya sedang menunggu mood saya memaksa saya menulis lagi. Sampai sekarang mood saya masih naik turun, bikin deg-degan, bikin stres, dan akhir-akhir ini saya makin malas. Negatif, cuek, malas, ngantuk, gak enak badan, penasaran. Dan semuanya gak bikin saya mau menulis.

Huks. Moga-moga mood saya cerah lagi :)

Project, project

I am writing a new novel now. it's not a permanent project and I kind of want to see how it develops halfway. I've written 6 chapters in English and so far it's got the weird style Haruki Murakami and Banana Yoshimoto use. I feel that it's okay, because I don't wish to write just for the sake of it.

I want to write a personal story that is amazing in the process of writing. Something enlightening. I think for that reason I dont post it up on the web and tell anyone about it.

A celebrity is in the office right now for a photo shoot but I'm at home, resting. I dont feel well and there is a severe flood this morning, my parents insist i go back to bad, which is cool. I've lacked sleep for weeks.

I also get a lot of books (and buy a lot too). I can never seem to stop book hunting, or book shopping. Lately my greatest desire is a limited collection Vintage books set. I already have one set, planning to collect the rest :)

Reliving the good times

There used to be good days when I spent days reading my Sweet Valley books. I'm crazy over Senior Year and Junior High.

And there used to be good days when I just sat back and enjoyed watching Fushigi Yuugi, like in high school. I used to tape them on VHS just for sake of it.

Now I miss those old times.

So here I am, watching endless reruns and reading all the books I've missed. I go hunting for OSTs too, to download while I watch anime. Here's a good one: Colorcloud Palace the OST (1 and 2). I just love the entire collection! The opening song and ending theme are equally mesmerizing, the insert songs relaxing to listen to. I love the anime as well, watching it in Animax once in a while.

If only life can get this good everytime. But it isn't, so I might as well stop dreaming the impossible. But life's good, sometimes.

Please let it be Atonement...

Things that make me so psyched today:

- I won Jiffest tickets (again). I did, last year and watched All The King's Men. This year no movie catches my eyes but Atonement. It's simply the best movie ever made this year - according to reviews. I've been waiting for it ever since I watched Becoming Jane, and it was screening last September. When the DVD is out in Amazon (I'm on the list), I'll surely buy it.

I have no idea what I'll watch this year in Jiffest, but I sincerely and desperately hope it's Atonement. I hope RDI chooses this movie for the free tickets. Fingers crossed.

- I get Jane Green's Straight Talking via Fedex today, for free :) Chris, the giver from USA was really nice. Speedy service too, since it's Fedex. The book is near perfect.

- Someone mooched for my book collections :) I now have almost 30 points on BookMooch. I will exceed 30 by this month, because someone promised me to mooch for 2 more books ASAP. This bookmooch thingie is getting really fun. I dont have a single book I want right now though. Except a Certain Slant of Light, which I might get via Amazon.

My little book world

Chick lits I want:

- Remember Me? – the latest novel by Sophie Kinsella

- Something Borrowed – Emily Giffin – heard rave reviews and mooched it immediately.

- Something Blue – sequel to the above, but currently unavailable for mooch.

- Divine Secrets of Ya Ya Sisterhood – mmm still in doubt

- Cocktails for Three

Real books I want:

- One True Thing

- A certain slant of light – I so want this book!

- How the Garcia girls lose their accent

Somehow I feel that I read more ‘real’ books than chick lits these days. Don’t get me wrong, I adore and enjoy the latter profusely. It’s just that I let these good literatures and real stories get to me. It’s a nice thing to read classics instead of only reading feel good novels.

It makes me understand a lot of other things too.

The only drawback to reading is, I don’t have time to write my new novel.

Currently reading: Perfect Strangers by Robyn Sisman. I collect all her books.