X Japan - "Tears" & "Kurenai" (cut) live HD

Nevermind how they look, I love their sound. There's something about their music that takes me back. Beautiful. These are two of their unusually long songs (the latter is cut).

Jessie J - Who You Are

"WHO YOU ARE" by Jessie J

Mmmmmmm yeah... yeah, yeah

I stare at my reflection in the mirror
Why am I doing this to myself?
Losing my mind on a tiny error,
I nearly left the real me on the shelf
No, no, no, no, no...

Don't lose who you are, in the blur of the stars
Seeing is deceiving, dreaming is believing
It's okay not to be okay!
Sometimes it's hard... to follow your heart
Tears don't mean you're losing, everybody's bruising
Just be true to who you are

(Who you are, who you are, who you are)
(Who you are, who you are, who you are)
No, no, no, no, no, no...
(Who you are, who you are, who you are)
(Who you are, who you are)

Brushing my hair, do I look perfect?
I forgot what to do to fit the mold, yeah
The more I try the less it's working, hey yeah
'Cause everything inside me 
Screams no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, yeah

Don't lose who you are, in the blur of the stars
Seeing is deceiving, dreaming is believing
It's okay not to be okay!
Sometimes it's hard... to follow your heart
But tears don't mean you're losing, everybody's bruising
There's nothing wrong with who you are

Yes, no's, egos, fake shows
Like woah, just go... and leave me alone
Real talk, real life, good love, goodnight
With a smile... that's my own, yeah yeah
That's my own... no...

No, no, no, no, no, no, no...
Don't lose who you are, in the blur of the stars
Seeing is deceiving, dreaming is believing
It's okay not to be okay!
Sometimes it's hard... to follow your heart
Tears don't mean you're losing, everybody's bruising
Just be true to who you are
Yeah, yeah, yeah...

Queen featuring David Bowie - Under Pressure (Official Music Video)

Speaking of “pressure”… a happy retro-tune for it!

‘UNDER PRESSURE’ by Queen featuring David Bowie

Mm ba ba de

Um bum ba de

Um bu bu bum da de

Pressure… pushing down on me

Pressing down on you, no man ask for

Under pressure, that brings a building down

Splits a family in two

Puts people on streets

Um ba ba be

Um ba ba be

De day da

Ee day da… that's okay!

It's the terror of knowing

What this world is about

Watching some good friends

Screaming, “Let me out!”

Pray tomorrow gets me higher

Pressure on people, people on streets

Day day de mm hm

Da da da ba ba

Okay!

Chippin' around, kick my brains ‘round the floor

These are the days it never rains but it pours

Ee do ba be

Ee da ba ba ba

Um bo bo

Be lap

People on streets, ee da de da de

People on streets, ee da de da de da de da

It's the terror of knowing

What this world is about

Watching some good friends

Screaming, “Let me out!”

Pray tomorrow gets me higher, higher, high…

Pressure on people, people on streets

Turned away from it all like a blind man

Sat on a fence, but it don't work

Keep coming up with love but it's so slashed and torn

Why… why… why?

Love, love, love, love, love

Insanity laughs under pressure we're breaking

Can't we give ourselves one more chance?

Why can't we give love that one more chance?

Why can't we give love give love give love give love

Give love give love give love give love give love?

'Cause love's such an old-fashioned word

And love dares you to care for

The people on the edge of the night

And loves dares you to change our way of

Caring about ourselves, 

This is our last dance

This is ourselves

Under pressure

Under pressure

Pressure…

Katy Perry - UNCONDITIONALLY (Official Music Video)

In my opinion, only God, very good parents and individuals (or couples) who are truly, madly, deeply in love are capable of this. Napakahirap panindigan, pero ang sarap naman siguro ng ganun! Awesome cinematography, by the way.

“UNCONDITIONALLY” as performed by Katy Perry

Oh no, did I get too close?

Oh, did I almost see what's really on the inside?

All your insecurities

All the dirty laundry

Never made me blink one time

Unconditional, unconditionally

I will love you… unconditionally

There is no fear now

Let go and just be free

I will love you… unconditionally

So come just as you are to me

Don't need apologies

Know that you are all worthy

I'll take your bad days with your good

Walk through this storm I would

I'd do it all because I love you… I love you!

Unconditional, unconditionally

I will love you… unconditionally

There is no fear now

Let go and just be free

I will love you… unconditionally

So open up your heart and just let it begin

Open up your heart and just let it begin

Open up your heart and just let it begin

Open up your heart…

Acceptance is the key to be

To be truly free

Will you do the same for me?

Unconditional, unconditionally

I will love you… unconditionally, yeah

And there is no fear now

Let go and just be free

'Cause I will love you… unconditionally (oh yeah)

Aaahhh…

I will love you (Aaahhh…) (unconditionally)

I will love you (Aaahhh…)

I will love you… Unconditionally.

TUMITIKLOP KAYO KAPAG PALABAN NA AKO!!

You don't have to say that you were "out of the country" when the conversation doesn't really call for mentioning it; when it's grossly irrelevant. KAYABANGAN na lang yun! Some people feel the need to impose their "superiority" on you, one way or another -- especially when they see that between the two of you, you are younger and yet you are somewhat "equals". Defensive and unwilling to listen (I know how to read body language). Insecure? Or just unable to explain fault? Hmm...

MOVIE MARATHON review

Watching movies at home is one of the pastimes I really enjoy. Maybe too simple and lazy for a number of people, but very relaxing (and sometimes even inspiring) for me. I love seeing things unfold…. fiction and non-fiction alike. I even consider my dreams “movies about mixed memories with imagination and illusions”, as science may also suggest. They all entertain me and as you can see, I write reviews about them, too.

Disclaimer: This is only a hobby.

HAHAHAHA!!!!

I had plenty of time during the ASEAN summit holidays, so please bear with me. The initial blitz of watching consecutive films piled up thoughts inside my head and are now swirling more than a week later; I have to decompress my mind a bit and free some space. HAHAHAHA!!!!

AS ALWAYS: SPOILERS AHEAD!

1. THE BELKO EXPERIMENT (2016)

As my mother would say, “Senseless violence.” I once heard her whisper that expression when she “sat in” on a Japanese movie I watched several years ago (Battle Royale).

This motion picture has almost no plot and it’s also not an ‘origin’ film, either. But if you like good old suspense-driven scenes of mediocre gore, this is a good psychological thriller. It’s a 7 for me.

2. THE BRIDE (2017)

Totally frightening! The story appears to be original and is well-told. The atmosphere is also consistent throughout. A good horror movie. 8 out of 10.

3. THE FOREST (2015)

Absolutely the scariest movie I have seen in my life! But maybe that can’t be said by others; we all have different responses to stimuli about horror. The setting alone is terrifying— a disturbing actual place called Aokigahara Jukai, also known as the “suicide forest”/”sea of trees” at the foot of Mount Fuji in Japan. The idea of a secluded suicide destination is spine-chilling enough, adding demonic folklore makes it all the more horrific. The fear is terror in what you can’t see. Towards the end, the line blurs as to what is real to the main protagonist and what is not. My rating: 9 out of 10.

4. MOON (2009)

The ethical question about human cloning becomes more complex when they become fully self-aware, as in they themselves become aware that they’re just clones but acknowledge being human and want to live full separate lives. That is, if human cloning is possible at all. This is science fiction anyway. It might get boring for the first half of the film, but it gets interesting gradually. There is almost just one human character for the most part. It’s a lunar base after all— supplies and co-habitants are very limited. Generally, good enough. 6/10.

5. REMEMORY (2017)

A somewhat literal case of Harvey Dent’s saying, “It’s either you die the ‘hero’, or you live long enough to see yourself become the villain”, except you really can’t be the hero.

Curiosity turns into a personal investigation that leads to the disclosure of a previous but unlikely tragedy. Extensive use of the subject machine turns out to have serious side effects on the brain.

The reason why we can’t extract 100% authentic memories, turn them into video and save them is that psychologically, people won’t like the idea. Who would want to take away the “magic” of a point in one’s life if seeing it in a bigger and clearer picture will reveal the flaws of the whole scenario? We treasure memories because there is something nostalgic about how we felt at a certain stage in our lives, who we were with at that time, where we were, etc. We want to think that the circumstances were “perfect”. We are not exactly lying to ourselves; we just tend to exaggerate at times because we always desire to romanticize moments. We love some people and places that much. Sure, the notion of a “memory player” which can be used as evidence for crime investigations is great, but maybe it’s better off limited to that only. This one’s a 6.

But personally speaking, I would want to watch my dreams, not necessarily fused with memories, and save them in some device. J

6. THE GUARDIANS (2017)

I admit it…. I’m a sucker for great visual effects.

Russia is joining the bandwagon of superhero movies. Production-wise, they and the United States are equals. This motion picture has a very simple story and a good set of computer-generated images, almost at par with US’s own. Almost. Some transitions are still not that fluid and realistic. The former Soviet Union’s diverse ethnicities are impressive: they comparatively and literally look different, from (Caucasian) Siberia to (“Asian”) Kazakhstan. While this movie may seem like a start-up copycat of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, it still has quite original twists to character design:

Arsus – a Hulk-meets-Sabretooth mutant mix, but he’s a bear and has a machine gun

Kseniya – badass “Invisible Girl”

Khan – DC’s Flash combined with an expert swordsman character like Deadpool, but instead he uses two large sickles

Lernik – the guy who can control energy from minerals inside other objects like rocks, etc. (as what Magneto is to metal)

All of them don’t grow old, World War II experiments of a secret laboratory, very much like Captain America. A female Major mirrors Director Nick Fury and S.H.I.E.L.D.’s Russian counterpart is The “Patriot” program.

These Agents are Hot! HAHAHA!!!

Has potential to be very entertaining if you’re a Marvel/DC fan. It’s a 7 out of 10 for me, but only because I’m that shallow when it comes to this genre.

INTERSTELLAR (2014) Review

WARNING: (SEMI-) SPOILER!

This motion picture merges two of my favorite movie genres: Post-Apocalyptic drama and “Outer Space” science fiction.

I never thought I would ever like a film starring Matthew McConaughey, yet here I am. Don’t get me wrong, I still think McConaughey’s general acting skills stink! He practically mumbled and whispered half the time; so irritating to my ears!! The plot was just so interesting that I had to finish it. I think Matt Damon’s cameo appearance is even better than Matthew’s whole performance throughout the film!!! I only wish they put a better star in the lead role, like Matt Damon himself. Well, maybe that’s why there’s another movie called “The Martian” (2015).

This motion picture’s storyline is not that unique: exploration for another habitable planet to leave a dying Earth, and the mission crew’s conflict within themselves. The severe loneliness/homesickness, coupled with either the extreme desire or dire hatred to finish the mission, that leads to insanity of one character is also not unknown a plot twist. Movies having similar elements are: “Sunshine” (2007), “Pandorum” (2009) and “Predators” (2010), to name a few. The scientific principles and theories tackled in the film are very complex; they almost sound…. believable. The instances toward the end of the story are very artistically done. And the design of the A.I. robots (TARS & CASE) is simple on the outside but absolutely brilliant! The “humor” settings create an additional humanoid presence among the characters. Patents aside, I wish they would build actual models based on these droids in real life. They look feasible and very useful.

I was moved. The redundant questions of what truly are the more important things in life and how we should go about them make us question our own existence and purpose. Besides entertainment, I think this is what serious motion pictures should evoke.

Christopher Nolan really is a genius.

I give it an 8 out of 10…. okay, maybe just a 7. The “rustic” filters of the cameras make the color and overall atmosphere of the movie quite depressing, as with other Christopher Nolan films (Man of Steel, Dark Knight). In this case, it saddens the theme even further. Nevertheless, it’s a good motion picture.

A MELANCHOLIC FORTY

This is it… the big 4-0!

They say that age is just a number; I guess I’m a believer of that expression that (physical/psychological) “life begins at forty”. I’ve been anxious about it for two years already. I sort of wanted the hands of time to stop, but who could do that anyway?

I didn’t think ten years ago that I would still be basically in the same situation. In the scenario that is my life, “then” and “now” barely differs. I honestly thought that it would be completely dissimilar. But, as I said, the physical and psychological aspects are truly distinctive.

I completely stopped trying to return to regular exercise. Aches and pains throughout my body are more severe, especially that part where a bone underneath was once broken, and an area of the scalp which has been stitched now has a certain numbness. When you’re involved in a major accident after the age of 25, it will never really be the same again. The average person is past their prime and the healing factor slows down exponentially. Getting hospitalized because of a virus would have a better chance of recovery but one would already need a steady intake of immune boosters constantly thereafter. And I experienced both in the past decade.

I know now that I surely won’t be mistaken for a teenager anymore like I was when I was 34, and a few other times before that. 34 was the last time. It’s one of the most flattering, sweet-sounding compliments one could say about another individual. Being considered younger-looking than your real age is generally euphoric, if said sincerely.

I can’t say that I’m very happy now; maybe I’m just “content enough”. The problem with me is that I tend to compare my present standing with others, especially with childhood peers, former classmates and even relatives. The more materially prosperous they are, the more I am inclined to distance myself from them. I don’t need to elaborate on how “poles apart” we are now compared to them and what we once were. I noticed that envy creeps into me at each encounter, so I avoid the trigger of that tendency altogether. I veer away. I tried but I can’t change what’s been (un)done and I don’t want the burden of the blame. Maybe being successful is not that good for me.

I have achieved nothing. I own nothing. I AM nothing.

And of course I know I’m partly to blame.

Neither a “cool friend” nor “that buddy at work”; not a “favorite cousin” anymore.

I guess that teaches us humility.

I have no one.

Maybe a mild dosage of “destiny”, if you will.

And maybe, hopefully it’s just not time yet.

Because I have always been bad at making friends or having relationships; even though I have always been, and still am, very loyal. Although I tried several times, I think I’m not supposed to look for her anymore. She may or may never come at all. I have to accept that. And because it has always been difficult for me to read in between the lines,

I guess maybe I will always be alone.

But I am me.

And I’m glad it’s hard for me to change that!

I am grateful that I have learned the value of living quietly in one corner.

I only wish for peace of mind.

And I just want to be a better version of myself as we go along.

So God help me.

Black Lab "Wash It Away" Live at The Mercury

"WASH IT AWAY" (Live at The Mercury) by Black Lab

Wash it in the sea, let it soak all night
Wash it in the sea, let the saltwater wash it away
Soak it in bleach, 'til it's white on white
Soak it in bleach, 'til the blood just washes away

Hang it in the wind, let it blow all night
Hang it up high, let the high wind blow it away
Hang it in the wind, let the sun burn bright
Hang it in the wind, 'til the blood just washes away

I've waited wasted years
For the child that's come and gone today
I wasted all this fear?
How can I just turn and wash it away?
If I can then I will, then I will wash it away
If she can then she will, will wash it away
If I can then I will, then I will wash it away
If she can and she will wash it away

Forty years, I spent one by one
Forty years of life just slipping away
What I’d give for a firstborn son
Forty years of blood just washin' away

I've waited wasted lies
I've waited long enough I’d say
Say, what about, what about, what about? Yeah...
How can I just turn and wash it away?
If I can then I will, I will wash it away
If she can then she will, will wash it away
If I can then I will, then I will wash it away
If she can and she will wash it away

Send me an angel
Send me the ghost that I was
Just send me an angel
Send me the ghost that I was
That I was, that I am,
I will wash it away.

Yeah, she will wash it away.

I will wash it away
If I can then I will, then I will and I will...
Yeah... yeah, yeah, yeah... 
Yeah... yeah, yeah, yeah...
Yeah... yeah, yeah, yeah...
Oohh... oohh, oohh, oohh, oohh...
If I can, If I can, if I can, if I can...