Norwegian Wood film because IT'S KEN'ICHI!!

I don't have any intention of watching the film since I saw there is one. But after I finished the book, I feel like I need to talk to someone about it. When I found out that in the film, Ken'ichi Matsuyama plays Toru Watanabe's role, I FANGIRLED. He is L in movie adaptation of Death Note, and he looks very cute! He has this puppy eyes that makes him look so innocent, which made me very curious about the film.... Ken'ichi, playing the role of a clueless jerk who sleep around with girls?! Doing erotic stuff?!! Definately a must see.

  Don't worry, Toru. You're forgiven, though you raped her... actually.

 

So I downloaded a copy, watched it, and did not like it.
What can I say? I think the casting is good. Though Ken'ichi looks so innocent (even in sex scenes), I believe he can look more sexy and aggressive to make me think he likes what he's doing but IT'S AWKWARD!
Naoko's actress somehow got her character right. She looks realistic and faithful to the novel. Her soft voice and walking round and round makes me think she's really depressed. BUT her scene where she was... um, I think I don't need to say it.... was awkward. She also somehow looks innocent to do such thing. Then there's Midori! Midori's actress is also Mikasa on Attack on Titan movie. She's very pretty, but I don't like her acting. SHE'S ALWAYS SMILING! EVEN WHEN SHE'S ANGRY WITH TORU! I can rant about her all day. She deliver erotic lines without any emotion or even a try to make it funny or erotic. Her father doesn't look dying. And she also looks too innocent to be a "sexually-liberated young woman". Reiko is also a character I like in the novel, BUT they didn't even try to emphasize her! The reason why she slept with Toru made her look like a cougar, and she's not cool looking! She looks so sweet and motherly, but not cool! Reiko is cool, chain-smoker with a little messy hair, that's what I picture in mind. I really think reading the novel made me dislike the movie. There are less narration, too much image, the events are quite dragged, and the feeling of loneliness is not emphasized. The novel sure is erotic, but will leave you lonely. The movie seemed to try to balance the erotic and lonely theme, but ends up not giving any remarkable feeling.

Norwegian Wood

I've read some reviews first before reading Norwegian Wood. I never thought I'll ever read it. I hate PDFs. I don't want to buy the book like I did with Kafka on the Shore. I thought 'maybe I'll buy it', so I read some reviews just to know if it's worth buying unlike Kafka (I regret buying Kafka). I noticed something while reading the reviews: most of people who liked Kafka on the Shore and The Wind-up Bird Chronicle hates Norwegian Wood and Sputnik Sweetheart. I thought maybe they are more into the fantasy stuff, since Kafka is so Fantasy for me. I'm not into that genre, to be honest. I like realistic, tragic and melancholic things. So I thought I'll read this book, even in PDF.
The first pages actually got me. I might be that kind of person that can be moved to tears easily, but it really got me. The narrator is Toru Watanabe, telling his story back when he was in his 20s. Toru is a jerk. Literally. A wanker, that is. But I really find the story most sincere among his works I've already read. For me, it's the most realistic so far. I've read bad reviews about it. I agree that most of the male characters are wankers trying to be cool, and the girls are quite needy and desperate. But that's what makes it realistic for me. Our country is not really that sexually liberated and many people here still value virginity, but believe it or not, there are needy, depressed girls in real world.Anywhere. There are wanker, assholes boys who thinks girls are just sex toys who doesn't even need to be named. And those people have reasons. Maybe stupid reasons, but still, they have. I believe I knew someone like Nagasawa- he likes sex, thinks he's smart and mighty, logical and working hard to get what he wants, that's why I find him very realistic and unlikable. The way he hurt Hatsumi is very realistic too. And not everyone in the novel needs to be liked. You can even hate them. But Murakami has his way with words. I read almost half of the book for months because I can't stand reading in PDF, after a few months, our school library got a copy of the book so I borrowed it right away (apparently, they collect Murakami's novels). So I continue to read.
Naoko is clearly a depressed person. It might be hereditary, but she's obviously depressed over Kizuki's death. And Toru raped her without even knowing what he has done. I might say that Nagasawa effectively influenced him, but he already slept with his ex-girlfriend back in highschool, so it's no excuse- he's a pervert. He knows Naoko doesn't love him, that she still loves Kizuki, but he still forced his self on her. Even though she did some sexual favors for him back in the asylum, I still think that a part of her doesn't want to forget about Kizuki. But she tried to pretend to have plans with Toru. But in the end, she proved that she was violated, and I felt like she hates Toru, or doesn't feel anything for him. Meanwhile Toru, who decided that he loves Midori, though he's not sure enough, feels sorry and still loves Naoko. That was the part where I felt sorry and mad at him. He's stupid for saying that he loves Midori, while it's also the most perfect decision. The other characters I also feel sorry for is Reiko and Hatsumi. Hatsumi is such a stupid girl, falling inlove with Nagasawa. And what's more stupid is that she remained with him though she knows he doesn't want any commitment. I think Nagasawa doesn't realize that he needs someone like Hatsumi yet, but even after she died, it felt like he's still an asshole not realizing anything. He's the kind of person who realizes something after it's too late. About Reiko, as I read her back-story, it's quite suspenseful. She lost everything she had just because of a single person. And she can't take it back.
After Naoko died, I also really felt sorry for Toru. His travel reminded me of Takemoto from Honey and Clover, but in the end, he's still empty (Takemoto, on the other hand, just felt lonely, but quite fulfilled). I felt sorry he fell inlove with Naoko. That he declared love for Midori. That he felt empty and lost.
What I really liked is that he just traveled without direction, without knowing where he was, without anything in mind but his grief. I can even relate to him sometimes, the way he want to choke the fisherman just because he's telling him about his dead mother. I feel that way sometimes, like, when I have a problem and want to talk about it or just be quiet with a person, then he'll start talking about himself without thinking how I feel. But I also do that sometimes to others, so I realize I'm also wrong, then my anger will be gone.

That book really made me more frustrated and sad, but I like it. I like it very much. I felt better after finishing it. Good thing Naoko was gone, her body, her beauty and misery all became ashes that left Toru in despair. It reminded me of a line from Ando Yuko's song, Wasuremono no Mori

"The footprints that you left scattered
Are even now
Nothing
And I, who am left alone
Right now, am a rootless person"
In the end, the dead will remain dead. But the living needs to keep on living in the shadows of misery and despair of losing someone.
I liked that he can't reach out to Midori (I don't hate Midori, but I don't feel like I like her so much, but I also feel a little sorry for her). I like that he's alone in the crowd in the end, but also feel sorry for him I almost cried.
To sum it all, the book is really erotic and gives this somewhat lonely feeling. Like most of Murakami's books. I also felt like it's his autobiography, and I'm glad to know it's not. I hate to know someone as depressed as Toru.

Maksim Mrvica- I can't pronounce his name

My only memory of Maksim was that I saw his concert on TV when I was around 8 or 7. I can't barely recall when was that, but I remember he's that punk-looking pianist who played "The Flight of the Bumble-bee" with amazingly fast fingers (I never heard the original piece, only Maksim's, I can't even hum it, but I always know I'll remember it once I hear it again). Heard the original (I think?) from a video posted by my boyfriend, and I knew it was Bumble-bee! So I searched for Maksim's video where he played that. I can still remember his hand, not much his face, for it's accessorized with punk-looking bracelets, which I thought back when I was young, is not a very good thing to wear when you're playing instruments. But since I saw him that way, I thought it's not impossible, for he even have his own concert!

 Croatian Rhapsody- The sound of awesome

 I dreamed of learning to play the piano in Goth-punk outfit and dark make-up. Now that I'm older, I found out that wearing too much goth-punk fashion on the street is quite a hassle. But I still like it. So, now, as I listened to Maksim, I got curious about his personal life. He's quite handsome too, now that I notice his face. Found out his birthday is just a day advance mine! AND HE'S NOW FORTY!! Usually, I find older guys handsome but, I think his handsomeness' peak was back at that concert with the bumble-bee. But he still looks awesome and cool. I tried to listen to his other originals.... Claudine.

I regret it.

I regret that I've listened to his music.
For my headphones are broken and I can't play a whole playlist of his music to school. His "Claudine" is like a modern Chopin. It's very beautiful, with a touch of sorrow. I wonder what was he thinking while composing such beauty?

Welcome to the Fight Club!

I watched Fight Club last 3 weeks ago, I really want to watch that film since my Psych Professor said it's his favorite movie, I was thinking "'is it about fighting? From a Psych professor? Thought he's more into behavior stuff..." so, it was written by Chuck Palanhiuk, his favorite author. When you watch it, you'll know it's Chuck, the way the character talks, how busy his mind thinking of next witty phrase he can get (well... it's witty and I like it) and surprisingly, Helena's acting is good. She's a perfect picture of disturbed, depressed and destitute hobo. The story is exciting and has a twist, of course, and makes you wanna cut someone's balls.
Well, the story is not really just about fighting, but a week after watching that movie, I got sick for four days. Having flu is not good. It makes you feel so weak, your bones ache, you feel dizzy and nauseatic, and all your plans are ruined. I lost a chance for a very important appointment and amazingly, I lost 5kg of my weight! In just four days! I thought it was a good thing, but as I look at myself, I'm so thin. I gained back 2kg of my weight, but I'm still underweight that makes me unqualified to donate blood (it's my dream to donate blood). I realize how weak am I. Someone can just grab me and break my bones one by one with bare strength. I thought I was powerful, that I can even knock out a grown-up man. Suddenly, my bloodlust tried to resurface. I want to punch someone. Someone who will fight back. Someone who is aggressive enough to fight me back without being intimidated by my delinquent eyes. It's not necessarily someone who I can beat, it must be someone worth fighting! I badly need to prove my strength! I'm going to start a fight club!
But again, I realized, I need to finish my thesis. And I'm too lazy for bloodlust. The beast must hide again.
I'm not going to start a fight club anytime soon.

Things that you will always find on Philippine drama

Damsel in distress
kidnapping
jail
severe sickness
poor vs rich (which is always like good vs evil)
sexual assault
robbery
politician
love triangle/ third party/ mistress
amnesia
lost/unwanted child who will grow up in slums then will become a businessman




(And.... they wonder why I don't watch TV.)
Take, for example, that show every noon: The Half Sisters. I hate listening to it (I hate watching it, but someone left the TV on). The stupidity of the characters is quite amusing in so many ways I can't even describe.

But it doesn't mean that every Filipino is unimaginative, stupid and repetitive. If you are familiar with "Misteryo sa Tuwa", you'll know that poor people are not always good, but are also human who needs money, and women are not always stupid and powerless (ooh~ that's so feminist!). And there are many indie movie writers (and artists) in the Philippines who knows that not everyone in the crowd is stupid.

I'm  inlove with Kuvira right now.

Ang Huling Tulang Naisulat Nya Para Sayo

Ang Huling Tulang Isusulat Ko Para Sayo ni Juan Miguel Severo, isang mag-aaral ng Sikolohiya, sa pagkakaalam ko.
Psst! Pankinggan mo, may sinulat sya para sayo. (Binigkas nya na rin, para mas maunawaan mo)
Ang Huling Tulang ito, hayag naman sa pagkakasambit, ay patungkol sa taong kanyang iniibig. Umibig ka na ba? Marahil oo. Pero nasaktan? Iniwan? Ginamit lang? Umasa? Malamang naranasan mo na rin. Totoong di katanggap-tanggap, dahil ang gusto mo lang ay ibigin ka rin, gaya ng pag-ibig mo sa kanya.
Wala nang ibang mas interesante pang talakayin bukod sa pag-iisip ng tao. (pero inaamin ko, interesante rin ang mga lamang-dagat. SEAFOODS!) At laging napag-uusapan, ang opinyon ng tao pagdating sa pag-ibig. Napaka-importante ng Pag-ibig. Karamihan pa nga sa mga kabataan ngayon ay isinasakripisyo ang pag-aaral, ang hirap ng magulang, para sa pag-ibig na romantiko. Pero di lahat ay matagumpay. Isa na nga d'yan malamang si Juan Miguel Severo.
Sa aking pananaw, inilabas nya lamang ang kanyang nararamdaman. Ibinulalat lahat ng di nya maipaliwanag na damdamin sa Huling Tula na iyan, para sa taong kanyang iniibig. Pero sa tingin mo, iyan na nga kaya ang huling tula na maisusulat nya para sa taong iyon? Kung totoong inibig nya sya, malamang ay hindi pa iyan ang huli, o kung iyan man, ay di na sya susulat pang muli. Emosyon ang langis na nagpapagana sa makina ng malikhaing isipan. At kapag ito'y napagana, tiyak na mahirap nang bitiwan.

Pero realtalk: di ako fan ng "ginamit nya lang ako" theme. Ang gusto kong mga tula, yung nalulungkot dahil pinaghiwalay sila ng kamatayan (tulad ng 'Babang Luksa' ni Diosdado Macapagal). Pakiramdam ko kasi, di ko kayang magmahal ng taong di ako mahal. Maraming tao sa buong mundo na posibleng mahalin mo at mas mahalin ka. Kung ayaw nya na sakin, isang tadyak lang sa balls, ok na :3