Jan came over yesterday because it's my nephew's first birthday. We decided to watch a movie after stuffing our tummies with the yummies. I wanted to watch something light, so he recommended Easy A. I thought it was just another sloppy teen comedy but the nonstop wisecracks kept me absorbed that even my chick-flick-hating self absolutely loved it. And yes, not only because it is Emma Stone, but it is funny and smart as well.

Just so you know, I am not really into movies. I'm not the type who likes to just sit still and watch passively. So if you're one of my friends who's been to the movies with me, then perhaps you're one of those who got annoyed with my incessant blabbing of movie flaws, logic, and inconsistencies because unfortunately I have the ability not to ignore small things that don't make sense. No wonder I get constantly told, "pagtan-aw na lang gud dira!" (Shut up and just watch the goddamn movie!)



I don't remember a movie recommended by Jan that I didn't love (Schindler's List and Shawshank Redemption to name some). Now I wonder how many good movies have I actually missed since Forrest Gump? Not that I haven't watched anything, okay? But I can count with the fingers of my one hand how many movies I have watched in the last two years. I couldn't even name 95% of the actors and actresses on the big screen. I didn't know Paul Walker until his untimely death. Send me a picture of Channing Tatum and I wouldn't recognize him unless I am told. And no, this is definitely not me getting old.

So what is it with movies that they get shrugged off more often? I wouldn't say I have a short attention span because I can sit through Burn Notice, Band of Brothers, Suits, Breaking Bad, Dexter, and/or Futurama marathon whole day. I can watch documentaries all afternoon. I can read a 500-page novel all the way through in one sitting. I can make time if I want to but I don't.

Perhaps the dawn of cgis and stunning visual effects became the embodiment of a great movie that movie tickets can sell like hotcakes even with no real plot in them made me lose my interest with movies. And yes, I may have tried to slash my veins with my teeth the first time I watched Twilight. I don't know why I even bothered to. Good thing I was able to push the stop button before I stab my eyes out. It was simply depressing. Never again. Note to self: Don't get bothered with the hype.

Popcorn, anyone?

What I'm trying to say is, most movies nowadays lack depth and substance, and character development is almost absent. Despite that, such movies are unbelievably deemed box-office hits. Oh man, I couldn't afford to shell out 150 pesos for a piece of crap, and I know I can never take 2 hours of my life back. But before I start sounding like an a-hole movie critic wannabe and bash movies that I didn't even bother to watch or at least finish watching, I just want to give props to movies that always put the story first (Hayao Miyazaki's and Pixar Animations for example with the exception of Cars 2). I also like movies that are deep, thought-provoking, moving, and inspiring. And such are hard to come by. I think the last movie that has blown my mind was Interstellar and I hope they make more movies like that.

Maybe I still like watching movies. I just don't get excited about them anymore that I can just shrug it off and forget about it (even the anticipated ones. Insurgent, for example). I hardly ever go to cinemas. I mean, Jan and I passed by movie theaters a lot of times, but I just couldn't find one thing that I would like to watch. But just because I barely watch movies doesn't mean I'm completely shutting my doors from it. I know there are still few good movies out there. Perhaps I'll just stay away from Oscar bait crap and stick to the indies or classic instead. The same goes to watching televisions. I'm happy to say that I've got zero TV shows for the past weeks or perhaps it has been months. Yes. But I'm not missing tonight's episode of Gandang Gabi Vice with our very own Mayor Duterte as a guest. This should be good. And I can't wait. :)