Frankenweenie: Movie Review

Movie poster from office site

Frankenstacular Dark Drama



 

Halloween is just around the corner, folks. In time for this scarily-fun occassion, I decided to see Frankenweenie this weekend. Opened in theatres on October 5th, this Disney black-and-white film is directed by Tom Burto, with voice talents of Charlie Tahan, Winona Ryder, Martin Short, Catherine O'Hara and Martin Landau. As for the box office, the movie is not doing so bad at all. It's only been on for three days.

 

I like how the kids characters' were adapted from other movie characters. The protagonist kid Victor is a son of the Frankensteins. Edgar "E" Gore, is assumed to be the son of Hunchback of Notre Dame's Igor. The black-and-white concept adds up to the old setting and horror-like atmosphere. The drama was so moving in the story. I'm personally a pet-lover and the scene of losing Victor's dog made me shed tears.

 

It was supposedly a comedy horror-film, but I felt that it was more of a dark drama. I saw it as a mad-scientist themed, crossed the boundary between life and death. I should say It's more for mature kids. The scene where Sparky the dog, after he came to life again, walked to the pet cemetery and laid down on his grave actually made sense. He was technically soul-less. It would still lead him back where he belonged -- the grave.

 

The end was not frustrating at all. I don't want this post to be a 'spoiler alert 'so I will leave it all up to you. Like I said, it made me cry - not once, but twice. But in the end, it brought smile to my face and made me love my dogs more.

 

 

Overall Rating: 7.5/10

Tips To Love Your Job

Alright. I hear you. You probably belong to the working class. We need our jobs because it's actually what we are destined to do. We attend school, go to College, then next -- find a job and make money, to support yourself or your family, to send kids to school, so they would go to College, so they could get a job to make money, so they could support themselves or their family, send their kids to school (technically your grand kids), and it's a neverending cycle. Unless, you are one heck of a Gazillionaire, or a business tycoon, or a Mafia member, an heiress, then you are exempted to read this advice.

 

There is so much more beyond going to work and making money. We can still make our job the happiest thing that ever happened to us if we:

1. CONSIDER THE PAY

 

Find the one you deserve pay-wise. Consider the salary if it is adequate enough to cover basic needs. You wouldn't want to be underpaid with unpaid bills, would you? It doesn't have to be a high-paying job, but at least enough to support the house.

 

2. MAKE SURE YOU CAN ACTUALLY DO IT

 

As for the skills, don't be over-confident that you will kick ass and be on top. Overdoing things is sometimes not good, especially in workplaces with low 'appreciation meter'. There is no harm in trying to learn things, that is actually great, but if it something that brings work stress, steals your family time, and takes away your sanity -- then you better be thinking now.

 

3. TAKE YOUR BREAK 

 

Remember that employers don't pay our lunch breaks, though some are kind enough to pay morning and afternoon breaks. Workers tend to be more productive when they take their breaks. It gives them time to replenish not just the physical energy, but also their mind and psyche. It doesn't matter how you do it -- slack around, eat buffet, meditate, do yoga, nap, stalk someone, as long as you take it.

 

4. EXERCISE GOOD COMMUNICATION

 

This is simply derived from the idea that any misunderstanding can be straighten through effective communication. Be open to your boss and co-workers. A secret to a happy workplace is the people. Personalities vary and you definitely can't please everybody, but communicating in a right manner will prevent conflicts that may arise.

 

5. GET AN OUTLET

 

I'm not going to give you a shopping advice. Sorry about that! What I mean is you should have an outlet where you can get stress out of your system. It can be sports, book club, dinner nights with friends, woodcrafts, witchcrafts, etc.

 

Disclaimer:

 

Human Resources is not my forte, but these are based on personal experience and heaps of common sense.

Viber Saves My Day!

I recently got an iPhone after years and years of promising myself not to join the hype of smartphones, or superphones, or super dooper megaphones, or IOS (whatever that is). But I gave in. I admit I'm a cheapskate. I wouldn't replace my Nokia C3 if it wasn't broken at all. And I made sure iPhone 4S went down its price and I committed to a three-year contract just to get it really cheap.

 

So yeah, I now own an iPhone. But my frugality doesn't end there. I still see to it that I get free services out of it. Bahahaha! My buddy told me to download Viber, and I was like "What? They have a sex toy app??" (thinking it was vibrator or something), then being a very curious person as I've always been, I downloaded it and couldn't stop using it since then. (Not the vibrator, silly)

What will I do without you?

They claim to have 40 million users which I doubt though. Only about 14 out of my contacts have it. And did I tell you, and I have like a whopping 20 contacts? Yes, I'm such a loner. No. Anyways, most of my family members are away so as my friends. It's amazing how you can text and make long distance calls for free! Sorry Skype, but the quality is clearer. Sorry Chikka Messenger, because this service is easier to use. I just hope this will remain free even if the number of users go up. I hope the economic theory "there's no such thing as a free lunch" is not for real.

Filipino Festivities

Another first for the Filipino community, the 1st Annual Manitoba Filipino Street Festival was held at Garden City Shopping Centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba on August 25th. A colourful parade marked the start of the event as it also showcased cultural exhibits, programs, promotional kiosks, street dancing and a lot more.

Bright Ati-Atihan costumes

 

 

"I feel so proud to show Manitoba how rich and beautiful our heritage is" says Jennifer who moved to Winnipeg in 2007 with her family. "Participating in the event made me feel closer to my homeland". Jennifer is the only one of the hundreds Pinoys and Pinays that joined the festivity.

 

Ladies with their floral arcs



 

 

Arguably, Filipinos have the most number of population in Winnipeg among the visible minority group. About 40,000 is living in Winnipeg alone. According to Statistics Canada "between 1996 and 2001 the number of people who said they had Filipino origins rose by 35%, while the overall population grew by only 4%". Wow! That is a very rapid growth. Up to date 2012, they are still growing and will continue to contribute to Canada's vibrant multiculturalism.

The Midst

I'm running, catching my breath. Oblivious of the darkness, chilly air, and crusty sound of dried leaves. I swear there is a shadow behind me and it is chasing me. He knows where I'm going. He knows who I am. He knows I can never go back.